Donald Sterling, done in by his own idiocy several times over, has effectively run out of chances to keep the Clippers any longer than it takes to complete the paperwork of a sale.
Make no mistake, Sterling was going to lose his team no matter what. He was essentially fighting for which method of removal would end his demonstrably racist reign.
This is how he goes down, losing a legal battle to prevent his wife, Shelly Sterling, from selling the team on his behalf. Shelly will soon make her $2 billion sale to Steve Ballmer thanks to a judge’s ruling today.
Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times:
Judge: No credible evidence of "secret plan B" to oust Donald Sterling as #Clippers' owner.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Judge: Donald's medical exams were motivated by Shelly's concern for his well-being. #Clippers
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Judge: Shelly had "reasonable" belief Donald authorized her to sell #Clippers.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Judge: Shelly's testimony "far and away" more credible than Donald's. #Clippers.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Judge: No undue influence or 'unclean hands' by Shelly Sterling in #Clippers' sale.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Judge rejects arguments Donald should've been informed about purpose of mental exams. #Clippers
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
On first issue, Judge Levanas finds Shelly Sterling acted properly and as lone trustee when she agreed to sell Clippers to Steve Ballmer.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Up next: Donald's revocation of trust.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Judge: Court keeps jurisdiction of the case despite Donald's revocation of trust.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Second issue goes to Shelly. Trust owns Clippers and court has jurisdiction.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Final issue is 1310(b) of California Probate Code. Judge calls this the most difficult issue.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Judge Levanas savaging Dean Bonham's testimony. Put on by Donald Sterling's attorneys.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Judge seems to be leaning in favor of granting Shelly's 1310(b) request. Would be game over for Donald. #Clippers #NBA
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Judge buys "death spiral" theory espoused by interim Clippers CEO Richard Parsons.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Judge grants 1310(b) request for Shelly Sterling. #Clippers
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Shelly Sterling wins on all counts. #Clippers #NBA
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
Court adjourned. Massive win for Shelly Sterling. Essentially an appeal-proof ruling. #Clippers #NBA
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
The ruling includes the unusual 1310(b) order that essentially renders any appeal by Donald Sterling meaningless.
— Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) July 28, 2014
The following statement has been issued by Mike Bass, Executive Vice President, Communications, regarding today’s probate court ruling regarding the Sterling Family Trust:
“We are pleased that the court has affirmed Shelly Sterling’s right to sell the Los Angeles Clippers to Steve Ballmer. We look forward to the transaction closing as soon as possible.”
This is a huge win for Shelly, who gets a bunch of perks because she split from her racist husband just in time to get as many of their ill-gotten gains for herself
It’s also a huge win for the other NBA owners, who don’t have to deal with the nasty task of voting out one of their own and get a $2 billion sale on the record that inflates the values of everyone’s franchises. Yes, the league wanted Sterling out no matter what, but this was the most profitable – not the quickest – way to achieve that goal, and don’t forget that fact as everyone celebrates Sterling’s downfall.
One more huge winner: Steve Ballmer, who gets an NBA team. He might have overpaid, but that’s his choice, and the judge affirmed his right to make it.
The loser is Donald. This saga isn’t over, but with his ability to appeal restricted, I can’t see how he blocks the sale any longer. Soon, the team will be Ballmer’s and Donald’s legal fight seeking financial remedies will fade into the background. At that point, I don’t care much how billionaires split up their money.
Donald is out, which is good. If you want to feel icky about this whole affair, I hardly blame you. I’m not exactly looking forward to a Ballmer reign that leaves Shelly a visible part of the franchise just so other owners can inflate their own wallets, but here we are.
