Los Angeles: Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s team of lawyers has hired four private investigation firms to dig up dirt on the NBA’s former and current commissioners and its 29 other owners, said a person familiar with Sterling’s legal strategy.

Investigators were given a six-figure budget over the next 30 days to examine the league’s finances, allegations of previous discriminatory conduct and compensation to past Commissioner David Stern and current Commissioner Adam Silver.

The person said the investigators also are looking into whether other owners made any off-colour jokes, or racist or sexist remarks.

“The gloves are off, as they say,” the person said. “Have them dig up all the dirt they can find.”

The 80-year-old Sterling is suing the NBA for $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) in federal court after the league tried to oust him as Clippers owner for making racist remarks to a girlfriend that were recorded and publicised. Silver fined him $2.5 million and banned him for life.

The suit alleges the league violated Sterling’s constitutional rights by relying on information from an “illegal” recording. It also said the league committed a breach of contract by fining Sterling and that it violated antitrust laws by trying to force a sale.

Sterling’s attorneys also will be facing off with his wife’s attorneys in probate court during a four-day hearing scheduled for July.

The probate court hearing centres on whether Shelly Sterling had the right to unilaterally negotiate a $2 billion deal to sell the Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Shelly Sterling’s attorney, Pierce O’Donnell, said she made the deal as the sole administrator of The Sterling Family Trust, which owns the team, after two doctors determined her estranged husband was mentally “incapacitated.” Donald Sterling is fighting that conclusion and her authority to sell.

The person who spoke to the AP said Donald Sterling reluctantly agreed to hire private investigators after this week’s legal proceedings in probate court. The NBA submitted a legal filing Wednesday urging a judge to confirm Shelly Sterling’s authority to sell the team.

“He realised these guys will literally go to any low to get this sold,” the person said. “Even if it gets [him] nothing other than exposing all these guys and shaking up the league and seeing a change in the leadership of the league, it’ll be worth it to him.”

The firms will be engaged in an “audition” of sorts, the individual said: “Whoever delivers the best [material] is going to stay on for the next round and it might be all four of them ... 29 owners is not a small undertaking.”

Meanwhile, LeBron James has to make another big decision.

The NBA superstar turned to social media Friday to help him choose which number he’ll wear next season with the Cavaliers. James wrote “6 or 23 ...” on his Twitter account and posted photos on Instagram of him wearing No. 6 and No. 23 wine and gold Cavs jerseys.

James wore No. 6 during his four seasons with Miami and also on the US Olympic team. He used No. 23 in high school and during seven seasons in Cleveland.

James has had the top-selling jersey in the NBA six times during his career.

His return to Cleveland has given the city a boost, and the Cavs quickly sold out their seasons tickets in the hours after his announcement. James signed a two-year, $42.1 million contract last week.

The 29-year-old will be welcomed back to his hometown of Akron on Aug. 8, his family’s foundation announced Friday. The “Welcome Home LeBron Community Rally” will be held at InfoCision Stadium on the University of Akron’s campus. The rally, following James’ annual “Wheels for Education” event, will be James’ first public appearance since he chose to re-sign with the Cavaliers over the Heat.

James recently returned from Brazil, where he watched the World Cup final between Germany and Argentina. He’s scheduled to take a Nike-sponsored trip to China in the next few weeks.