ESPN reports Wednesday that the Donald Sterling saga, at least in regards to his ownership of the Clippers, is over. An appellate court has struck down Sterling's writ of mandate to stay the sale of the team to Steve Ballmer after a court ruled against him last week and the NBA approved the sale Monday.
Now it's officially over. Court of appeals turns down Donald Sterling's writ of mandate
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) August 13, 2014 Appelate court rules: "The evidence before this court indicates the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to Steven Ballmer has closed."
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) August 13, 2014 Appelate judges said: "Petitioner [Donald Sterling] has failed to show otherwise. Thus, there is nothing for this court to stay"
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) August 13, 2014 The ruling confirms that though Sterling will likely continue to pursue suit against Ballmer, his ex-wife Shelley Sterling, and the NBA, those suits will be over damages and not sale or control of the team.
Donald Sterling's attorney's say: "We are confident Donald will be completely vindicated in his federal case against the NBA. "
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) August 14, 2014
Donald attorney's: "We believe that the “popular” ruling in the Probate matter is a serious blow to the Privacy rights for all Americans."
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) August 14, 2014
Where Sterling turns to next is any guess, beyond the federal suit against the league, but as far as the Clippers are concerned, Steve Ballmer is their owner, and Donald Sterling is a thing of their past.