Even though former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer reportedly won the bidding to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers, Donald Sterling’s attorney was making a lot of noise saying that the current team owner would not sign off on a sale. But it looks like that might not matter.
According to ESPN LA’s Ramona Shelburne, the Sterling Trust signed off on the sale (aka Shelly Sterling), which means a second signature of approval from Donald would not be needed.
It’s been said all along that Sterling would do anything possible to block a sale of the team, so we fully anticipate seeing him exercise all legal avenues to fight this. But it’s pretty clear the NBA is dead-set on moving forward in the process. They’ve essentially forced Sterling out whether he liked it or not, and they did so quickly.
If the team actually is sold and a deal is approved by the Sterling Trust, I don’t imagine it will be reversed by a court. If anything, maybe the league or new ownership group will have to pay some extra fees to Sterling, but I think this baby is moving forward.
The deal just now needs NBA approval. Ballmer already has been approved by the league for a potential purchase in the past, so you have to imagine he’ll be approved once again.
