Donald Sterling transfers LA Clippers ownership to his wife
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has agreed to sell his stake in the basketball team to his estranged wife, Rochelle “Shelly” Sterling.
Rochelle Sterling is moving ahead with selling the team, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday.
The individual, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about the deal, said that Donald and Rochelle Sterling made the agreement after weeks of discussion.
Shelly Sterling is working to resolve the dispute amicably and has been in talks with her attorney and NBA lawyers for the last couple weeks.
Donald Sterling has agreed to sell his stake in LA Clippers to his estranged wife, Shelly Sterling
She wants to “have meaningful control” over the transaction.
“She has no plans to sue the NBA,” the individual said.
“She’s trying to make nice.”
The NBA banned Donald Sterling for life and fined him $2.5 million because of racist comments. The league has charged him with damaging the league and its teams. It said Donald Sterling has engaged in other conduct that has impaired its relationship with fans and merchandising partners.
Team owners are moving forward with a vote on whether to terminate his ownership.
Donald Sterling has until next Tuesday to respond.
He can appear at a June 3 hearing in New York in front of the other owners. It will take three-quarters of them to terminate Donald Sterling’s ownership, and the league says also that of Shelly Sterling.
Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, the board chairman, will preside over the hearing. If three-fourths of the other 29 owners vote to sustain the charge, Donald Sterling will be forced to sell the team he has owned since 1981. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said he is confident he has the 23 votes that are necessary.
If Donald Sterling did not respond to the charge within five business days, or does not appear at the hearing, it would be deemed an admission of the “total validity of the charges as presented,” according to the NBA constitution.
Donald Sterling’s attorney had asked for a three-month delay, which the league rejected.
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