Sterling Files Suit Against Former Clippers Coach Fitch

Clippers Owner Donald Sterling filed a lawsuit in L.A. Superior Court against former coach Bill Fitch for "breach of contract," according to Lonnie White of the L.A. TIMES. The lawsuit alleges Fitch "failed to seek employment after the Clippers fired" him in April '98, and alleges that Fitch, who "was to be paid if fired, had to mitigate payment amounts by looking for work." Fitch was 63 when he was fired. The Clippers "claim to have paid" Fitch $1.19M since he was fired (L.A. TIMES, 4/5). The suit also claims Fitch engaged in a "coercive" contract negotiation in '97 after the team made the playoffs (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 4/4).