Former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling and V. Stiviano watch the San Antonio Spurs play against the Memphis Grizzlies back in 2013. (Photo : Getty Images/Ronald Martinez)
It has been more than two years since Donald Sterling was ousted as the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers owner. The sale led to Sterling filing a lawsuit against the NBA but it has been settled as both sides are finally moving on.
A recording of a conversation between Sterling and his female friend V. Stiviano was released on April 25, 2014, wherein the billionaire made some racial remarks. It sparked an outrage all over the basketball world that eventually led to him being banned from the NBA for life and the sale of his Clippers.
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer bought the team for $2 billion but it led to Sterling's lawsuit. However, it has now been settled as Sterling ended a two-year battle with the NBA on Friday.
"Donald is pleased with the outcome and is looking forward to focusing on future endeavors," Sterling's attorney Bobby Samini wrote in an email sent to The Los Angeles Times.
Sterling's lawsuit is about the alleged conspiracy in the NBA to remove the 82-year-old billionaire as the owner of the Clippers. Nevertheless, the NBA is very happy about the lawsuit finally being settled and they released a statement via The Times.
"We are pleased that Mr. Sterling has dropped his lawsuit and that this matter is now over," NBA spokesman Mika Bass said.
According to Forbes.com, Sterling has a net worth of $3.4 billion but he only bought the Clippers for $12 million back in 1981. The sale to Ballmer, who is worth a staggering $28.5 billion and a big basketball fan, was the change the franchise was looking for.
The sale of the Clippers went through after Sterling's wife, Shelly, accepted a deal. The $2 billion was the largest sale of a team in NBA history and only second in the four big American sports league. The Los Angeles Dodgers was sold for $2.15 billion in 2012.
The Clippers have been on an upward trend since Ballmer became the owner. They have made the playoffs the past couple seasons. It is also a different story this season as the Clippers is off the best start in franchise history with a record of 13-2, good for the top spot in the Western Conference standings.
Check out the video below for Sterling's controversial audio back in 2014 courtesy of TMZ Sports.
