Donald Sterling Loses Fight to Block Clippers Sale

A California judge ruled that Shelly Sterling, wife of Donald Sterling, has the authority to negotiate the $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer after her husband was banded from life from the NBA.

“Shelly clearly had the authority to transfer the shares of [the Clippers],” said the judge.

Donald Sterling is expected to appeal the ruling, but the  judge’s orders state that the sale of the team may proceed despite potential appeals.

NBA Executive Vice President Mike Bass expressed in a statement that, “We are please that the court has affirmed Shelly Sterling’s right to sell the Los Angeles Clippers to Steven Ballmer. We look forward to the transaction closing as soon as possible.”

Lawyers for Shelly Sterling and Ballmer told ESPN that they expect the sale of the Clippers to go through by August 15.

In April, the NBA banned Donald Sterling for life and urged him to sell the Clippers as quickly as possible after a recording of him making racist remarks was leaked.