Donald Sterling files civil lawsuit against Shelly Sterling, NBA, Commissioner Adam Silver

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Donald Sterling filed a civil lawsuit against his estranged wife Shelly Sterling, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the NBA on Tuesday, Eyewitness News has learned.

The new suit was filed in state court and alleges breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and emotional distress.

Meantime, interim CEO Dick Parsons was on the stand for more than an hour as part of the ongoing probate court battle between Sterling and his estranged wife to sell the Los Angeles Clippers.

Parsons testified that the team could lose key assets the longer Sterling is associated with the Clippers.

"The cloud that hangs over the team is the continued ownership of Mr. Sterling. And it manifests itself along several different lines, the easiest to speak to is sponsorship," Parsons said. "If one or two or three of the sponsorships go, then everyone goes."

Parsons also said if Sterling doesn't go, coach Doc Rivers will.

"Doc is, he's as troubled, maybe more so, than anyone else on the team," Parsons said. "He had to stand up and deal with the media. And he has told me he doesn't think he could be up for that, that if Mr. Sterling remains as owner of the team, he doesn't think he wants to continue to be the coach."

Donald Sterling's attorney Bobby Samini spoke out after court.

"I don't understand why they didn't call Doc Rivers and the players that they wanted to call to give that testimony," said Samini. "That's surprising to me. I understand that Mr. Parsons had an opinion about what might happen, but they could have easily brought those individuals in to give that testimony themselves. I haven't heard anybody come into court and say, 'I'm going to quit my job,' yet."

Sterling is attempting to block the $2 billion deal Shelly struck with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in May.

Shelly is expected to take the stand Wednesday. Closing arguments are expected to begin Monday.