NBA being advised by Lapchick on Sterling

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NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA has retained Dr. Richard Lapchick, an authority on race relations and diversity, for help with the fallout from Donald Sterling's racist remarks that were captured on an audio recording.

Lapchick, director of the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, advised the NBA when it formally charged the Clippers owner with damaging the league and its partners with his comments. Commissioner Adam Silver has urged owners to force Sterling to sell the franchise.

Lapchick, who authors a racial and gender report card for each sports league, has reviewed the NBA's diversity efforts and hiring practices, and reported on the effects of Sterling's comments and actions, a league official says Monday.

Sterling has until the end of Tuesday to respond to the charge. The league is planning a June 3 hearing after which Sterling's ownership of the Clippers could be terminated.