Donald Sterling has lost his battle trying to block the $2 billion (Dh7.3bn) sale of the Los Angeles Clippers by his wife Shelly to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, with Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas allowing the deal to be completed.
With the ruling, the franchise can be sold to Ballmer even if Sterling chooses to appeal.
Mrs Sterling acted in selling the team after doctors determined her 80-year-old husband had signs of Alzheimer’s disease and was too mentally incapacitated to manage his trust affairs.
“I can’t believe it’s over. I feel good,” she said. “This is a good thing for the city, for the league and for my family.”
NBA executive vice president of communications Mike Bass expressed in a statement the league’s satisfaction with the result and desire to complete the sale.
“We are pleased that the court has affirmed Shelly Sterling’s right to sell the Los Angeles Clippers to Steve Ballmer,” said Bass. “We look forward to the transaction closing as soon as possible.”
A deadline of August 15 has been placed on the sale – a month extension to accommodate the trial.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver had said the league would move forward in seizing the team from Sterling if the deal was not finalised by September 15.
Now, the franchise can be handed over to Ballmer rather than the league taking an alternative route, which could have been a vote from the other owners on whether or not to exile Sterling.
Levanas cited the testimony of Clippers interim CEO Dick Parsons, who said the organisation would go into a “death spiral” if Sterling remained owner, potentially causing head coach Doc Rivers and players to leave, along with the abandonment of sponsors.
“The Clippers would suffer a massive loss of value if the team survived at all,” Levanas said.
The judge also felt the franchise would not be sold for anywhere close to $2bn if Sterling – who bought the team in 1981 for $12 million (Dh44m) – had been allowed to continue as owner.
“Ballmer paid an amazing price that can’t be explained by the market,” he added.
Sterling’s attorney Maxwell Blecher was adamant Mrs Sterling was not authorised to sell the team and claimed that his client was fully able to handle his own dealings.
“There’s no evidence, I’ll repeat that as loudly as you allow,” Blecher said. “There’s no evidence that Mr. Sterling was incapable of carrying out his duties as a co-trustee.
“It was clear in the process of his testimony that he was alert. If we get the right to appeal (the judge’s) mistakes will not stand up.”
Sterling was banned for life and fined the maximum of $2.5m (Dh9.1m) by the league on April 29 after racist comments in a conversation with his then-girlfriend were broadcast by celebrity gossip website TMZ.
During the billionaire’s time as owner, the Clippers have reached the playoffs six times, half of which came in the last three years.
