Clock won’t tick on Donald Sterling’s ownership until at least next week

Ten NBA owners have pledged to move “expeditiously” after a conference call Thursday, but the clock will not start ticking on Donald Sterling’s official ownership of the Clippers until at least next week.

The 10-member advisory and finance committee has scheduled another conference call on an undisclosed day next week that might determine an actual date for NBA owners to vote, an important element in the league’s attempt to force Sterling to sell the franchise he has held for 33 years.

Assuming at least 23 of the 30 owners vote yes on a sale, Sterling has five business days to respond from the time he is informed.

The three-fourths majority is expected to be met easily. Many NBA owners have already publicly criticized racially charged remarks that have attributed to Sterling on an audio recording released last weekend, and all 10 committee members unanimously agreed Thursday to keep moving toward “the process for termination” of Sterling’s ownership, according to an NBA statement released after the hourlong call.

The Clippers will participate in an actual 30-member vote, but Sterling will not be the one casting a ballot after being banned for life from all NBA activities this week by league Commissioner Adam Silver.

The Clippers’ vote will go to team President Andy Roeser or Coach Doc Rivers, who also holds an executive role with the team.

Sterling could sue if he is ousted as an owner, potentially complicating the process.

On Thursday’s call, the 10 owners discussed the importance of gaining control of the Clippers and how long it might take. The committee meets occasionally but scheduled the call to specifically address the Sterling situation.

Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is on the committee, which is chaired by Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor.