How can they force him to sell his team?
And what if he doesn't pay the fine?
He doesn't have to pay the fine I guess. He won't go to jail for it though they could claim it's breach of contract and in a litigation USA, you don't want to fuck with a contract if you're about to sue based on its premises.
The NBA has a clause that says the owners can get a 75% vote to remove an owner from a team. Essentially, they take the team from him until he sells it. What's been reported however is that the clause is written only towards those that cannot or refuse to pay their bills. Some have suggested that the NBA will go ahead and amend their constitution to allow for the removal of an owner if the owner is a detriment to the league.
I think this gets nasty. Sterling is a billionaire and an asshole. I doubt he goes down without a fight and honestly, considering the NBA may not have a ground to stand on when it comes to forcing him to sell his business, he may win.
Imagine the riots if that happens.
And who's to say these owners vote that way? There are 30 owners in the NBA. They'll need 8 to vote against it and I'm sure Sterling will get to vote. Cuban's already expressed his disapproval of the precedent this sets, so that could be two. Just six more to be fearful of banishing an owner based on private comments, and Sterling gets to keep his position.