L.A. County Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas has "cleared the way" for the $2B sale of the Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer after ruling yesterday that Shelly Sterling "acted properly when she removed her husband, Donald, from the family trust that owns the team," according to a front-page piece by Christensen & Fenno of the L.A. TIMES. Levanas sided with Shelly Sterling "on all substantive issues, brushing aside her husband's contention that he had been duped into being examined by doctors who deemed him mentally incapacitated." Levanas also took the "rare step of granting Shelly Sterling's request for an order under section 1310(b) of California's probate code, which allows the sale to proceed even if Donald Sterling appeals the ruling." Levanas called Shelly Sterling's testimony "far and away more credible" than her husband's testimony. He added that he "believed her actions were motivated by genuine concern for his well-being." Shelly Sterling said, "I didn't know which way it was going to go; I just tried to do the best thing for our family and for everybody else." Bobby Samini, one of Donald Sterling's lawyers, said, "This is one stage of a long war. This is one battle. We had hoped for a different result, but this is not the end."(L.A. TIMES, 7/29). The ruling yesterday "was tentative until the judge files it in writing." Attorneys for both Shelly Sterling and Ballmer said that they "expect the sale of the team to close before Aug. 15." The judge's final decision "is expected to come down by Aug. 13" (ESPN.com, 7/28). The AP's Brian Melley noted Donald Sterling "was not in court for the ruling." With lawsuits pending in state and federal courts, yesterday's ruling is "unlikely to put an end to the bizarre saga that began in April" (AP, 7/28).
IT'S NOT OVER UNTIL IT'S OVER: ESPN L.A.'s Arash Markazi noted the message to Donald Sterling's attorneys "was 'keep fighting' and they plan to do just that." However, his "vice grip on the Clippers effectively ended" yesterday. His time in the NBA "is over, and he will be nothing more than a distant, horrible memory when the season begins" (ESPNLA.com, 7/28). Shelly Sterling's lawyer, Pierce O'Donnell, said of Donald, "He never met a lawsuit he didn't like. We hope at this point Donald realizes he can't run out the clock forever" (USA TODAY, 7/29). In N.Y., Billy Witz writes the ruling is a "sweeping victory" for Shelly Sterling (N.Y. TIMES, 7/29). In L.A., Mike Bresnahan wrote the NBA's reaction to the ruling was "relief on all counts." Bresnahan: "For now." NBA Exec VP/Communications Mike Bass: "We look forward to the transaction closing as soon as possible" (LATIMES.com, 7/28). Shelly Sterling said that she would "attend Clippers games and hoped that her husband would join her one day in her courtside seats, saying she expected his lifetime ban to be lifted" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/29). Shelly added, "There's a new owner, a new sheriff in town. It's going to be good" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 7/29). More Shelly: "A great man will be taking over the team now" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 7/29).
CLEAR MESSAGE: SI.com's Michael McCann wrote it was a "stunningly decisive order." In ruling for Shelly Sterling, Levanas "left no room for doubt that he categorically rejected Donald Sterling's legal theories and witness testimony" (SI.com, 7/28). The N.Y. TIMES' Witz notes Levanas was "no kinder to some of Donald Sterling's witnesses." Sports marketing consultant Dean Bonham testified that the Clippers "could command" more than $2B, but his "credentials were questioned under cross-examination." Levanas: "The court gives it no weight" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/29). YAHOO SPORTS' Kelly Dwyer noted Shelly Sterling "is no angel herself, and it will remain a black mark on the NBA's ledger that she will be allowed to remain with the Clippers in a small capacity even after selling the team." Dwyer: "For now, though, this is enough" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/28).
