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Source: NBA BOG Expected To Move Quickly On Sale Of Clippers To Steve Ballmer

The NBA BOG is "expected to approve the sale" of the Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer "quickly after the transaction from Shelly Sterling to Ballmer is complete," according to a source cited by Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY. With Sterling and Ballmer "targeting Aug. 15 to complete the deal, it's likely Ballmer takes control of the Clippers within the next few weeks." That "would please" the NBA, Clippers coach and Senior VP/Basketball Operations Doc Rivers, players and fans (USA TODAY, 7/30). Interim Clippers CEO Dick Parsons said, "This became an American story. It really did. I've said before this team actually has the potential to become sort of America's team because of the way they went through this firestorm, the way they hung together, and the way they're going to come out of their corner when the season starts." He added, "Sponsors have said, well, we're in if (Donald) Sterling is out. But if Sterling is in, we're out. Now they can focus on solidifying their deals. They know that this thing is going to go forward and they can -- they have great affection for the Clippers and they can continue their sponsorship." Asked if he was ever worried Ballmer might walk away from the deal, Parsons said, "He can't wait to get approved by the NBA owners and take ownership of this team and ... really start to participate in the way that an owner can. So I didn't think he was going to disappear before we got to this point. That's for sure. And he hasn't." More Parsons: "Steve wants to be a winner, and Steve is prepared to put his money where his mouth is and do what needs to be done to add the pieces to make this team highly successful at the highest levels. ... My job is to hand the Clippers off to Steve when he closes on this deal in good shape and ready to go" ("Street Smart," Bloomberg TV, 7/29).

THIS IS (ALMOST) THE END: In L.A., Nathan Fenno reports Donald Sterling's legal options "may be dwindling" after L.A. Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas on Monday invoked a clause that allows the sale to proceed "regardless of any appeal ... but they aren't exhausted." In the next week, Donald Sterling's lawyer, Bobby Samini, will "petition an appellate court to set aside the 1310(b) order" that Levanas invoked. This will "form the next battleground in Sterling's legal struggle that also includes a federal antitrust lawsuit against the NBA and litigation in Superior Court that names Shelly Sterling and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and claims Donald Sterling is the lone shareholder of the Clippers." If that path "isn't successful for Sterling, he could try a similar strategy with the California Supreme Court." Samini also plans to "seek an injunction in the lawsuit against Shelly Sterling and Silver to prevent the sale of the clippers." He called that case "the next frontier" in Donald Sterling's fight (L.A. TIMES, 7/30). ESPN's Michael Wilbon said he and "many people are just waiting for Donald Sterling to pop up and scream, 'Appeal!'" He is "undermining his own former franchise" ("PTI," ESPN, 7/29).

NOT GOING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT: In California, Dan Woike notes while Sterling would "love to win in the lawsuit he filed last week, that's not the ultimate purpose." His "current strategy, it seems, is to create enough chaos around the sale of the Clippers where Ballmer could back out of the deal, forcing the NBA to step in and act" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 7/30). ESPN's Dan Le Batard said of Sterling, "He does have fewer legal options right now than he has ever had, but we haven't heard the last of him. Because he’s angry, because he’s not all there, he’s going to keep try trying to make messes. He just has less legal recourse today than he’s ever had.” ESPN’s Bomani Jones said, “We’ve heard the last of him that actually matters. He can't block the sale of the team. ... The man only has two things left at this point: Time and money. He has got all of it in the world when it comes to money and while time may be short in the macro sense, he has nothing to do on a given day. Why would this ever stop?" ("Highly Questionable," ESPN2, 7/29). CBS Sports Network's Jim Rome noted Sterling is "not done brawling, and he is still looking to put a few people in body bags." Rome: "His first words to his attorneys after the judge ruled against him were, 'Keep fighting.'" Yahoo Sports’ Rand Getlin said, “Sterling is a guy that will fight to the absolute death. Two billion dollars doesn’t really matter to him. He’s in the twilight of his life. What a sad way to go out” (“Rome,” CBS Sports Network, 7/29).

WORKING HIS OWN AGENDA: ESPN L.A.'s Ramona Shelburne reported Sterling and Ballmer met in L.A. on July 20 so Sterling could "make an offer they both knew Ballmer could never accept" -- allowing Shelly Sterling to "keep a significant portion of the team." The meeting "wasn't about money or terms or percentages," but was "about control." Donald Sterling thought being owner of the Clippers "meant the franchise actually belonged to him," that he "controlled its players and coaches and staff." He also believed that people "had to answer to him and do as he said." Shelburne: "That's what he's fighting for. His power. His control. His property." He has been "so obsessed about himself and his rights that he has neglected to bring any allies along." Nor did he "realize how few allies he has had" (ESPNLA.com, 7/29). An L.A. TIMES editorial states of Sterling, "We wish he would give up the fight and let the Clippers look forward to a new era in ownership" (L.A. TIMES, 7/30). 

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