Donald Sterling’s wife Shelly Sterling officially announced the sale of the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Friday morning. However, Donald Sterling’s attorney stated, “there can be no sale without Donald’s signature,” even though Donald Sterling agreed last week to allow his wife to conduct the sale by signing a written letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver which relinquished control of the team. The confusing reports could be related to Donald Sterling’s diagnosis of dementia.
The trust agreement that governs the family’s ownership of the team provides if 2 qualified doctors determine either Donald or Shelly shows “an inability to conduct business affairs in a reasonable and normal manner” … they will then be stripped of control over the team.
We’re told earlier this month Donald agreed to an examination by 2 prominent neurologists. He underwent extensive tests, including a CT and PET scan. We’re told both doctors diagnosed Donald with Alzheimer’s and concluded he may have had the disease for as long as 5 years. The doctors both concluded he did not have the ability to conduct the business of the team.
Under the trust agreement … the doctors’ conclusions were enough to strip Donald of control.
But Donald Sterling is still fighting the sale, filing a lawsuit late Friday against the NBA, which banned him for life and forced the sale of the team. His lawyer said he’s suing for $1 billion.
According to CNN, Donald Sterling’s lawyer said he is “far from incapacitated.”
This story isn’t going away anytime soon.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
Photo Credit: Getty
