Steve Ballmer deal to buy Clippers reportedly signed by Sterling Trust

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.