Donald Sterling

Donald Sterling
Born	Donald Samuel Tokowitz (1934-04-26) April 26, 1934 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Lawyer, entrepreneur
Known for	Owner of the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers (1981–2014)

Donald T. Sterling (originally Donald Samuel Tokowitz; born April 26, 1934) is an American lawyer and entrepreneur who owned the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers NBA franchise from 1981 until 2014.

In April 2014, Sterling received a lifetime ban from the NBA and was fined $2.5 million after private audio recordings surfaced containing racist remarks. NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced the suspension and immediately urged that Sterling be compelled to sell the Clippers. By May, Sterling’s wife Shelly agreed to sell the team for $2 billion to Steve Ballmer. Although Sterling challenged the sale legally, the NBA Board of Governors approved the transaction in August 2014. He resolved his lawsuit against the NBA in November 2016 and continues to be active in Los Angeles real estate ventures.

Sterling’s ownership period is heavily criticized, with many regarding him as one of the most detrimental owners in American sports history.

Early life

Born Donald Tokowitz on April 26, 1934, in Chicago, Sterling moved with his family to Los Angeles’ Boyle Heights neighborhood at age two. His parents, Susan and Mickey, were immigrants of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School, where he was involved in gymnastics and served as class president, graduating in 1952. Sterling obtained degrees from California State University, Los Angeles in 1956 and later from Southwestern University School of Law in 1960.

At 25 years old, he and his wife Shelly legally changed their surname from "Tokowitz" to "Sterling" on December 9, 1959, citing difficulties with pronunciation and potential financial benefits.

Legal and real estate career

Sterling launched his professional career in 1961 as a divorce and personal injury attorney, eventually shifting his focus toward real estate. His first significant property purchase was a 26-unit apartment complex in Beverly Hills. During the 1960s, he acquired the Lesser Towers located in Los Angeles’ Westwood district and renamed them Sterling Towers (now known as Sterling International Towers). In 1976, he leased the California Bank Building on Beverly Hills’ Wilshire Boulevard, an Art Deco structure originally built by MGM co-founder Louis B. Mayer, renaming it Sterling Plaza. Sterling secured a long-term lease of 99 years with the Mayer estate, paying a modest annual fee plus 15% of rental revenues while remaining its sole occupant. By April 2014, Sterling’s portfolio included ownership of 162 properties throughout Los Angeles.

NBA ownership

Sterling’s NBA franchise ownership was closely intertwined with that of Los Angeles Lakers majority owner Jerry Buss. Buss financed part of his $67 million acquisition of the Lakers, Kings hockey team, and The Forum arena in 1979 by selling a stake in his apartment buildings to Sterling for $2.7 million. Two years later, encouraged by Buss, Sterling purchased the San Diego Clippers for $12.5 million.

Upon taking control in San Diego, Sterling promised unlimited financial resources to build a competitive team and launched promotional campaigns featuring himself prominently. Unlike Buss’ Lakers who found immediate success, Sterling’s Clippers endured prolonged struggles and did not achieve their first winning season until 1991–92. Over a span of 33 seasons through 2013–14, the Clippers frequently lost more than half their games and were often ranked among the NBA’s poorest performing teams.

In 1982, Sterling was fined $10,000 after publicly admitting he would prefer finishing last if it meant acquiring a top draft pick. That same year he attempted an unauthorized relocation of the Clippers to Los Angeles, triggering an NBA ownership committee investigation that recommended his removal due to financial mismanagement. Instead, Sterling delegated operational control to Alan Rothenberg but retained ownership rights. By 1983, however, the NBA classified the Clippers as a "first-class" franchise.

Inspired by friend Al Davis’ successful antitrust case permitting NFL team relocation, Sterling moved the Clippers to Los Angeles in 1984 despite NBA opposition. The league imposed a $25 million fine which was later reduced to $6 million following legal proceedings. His notoriously tightfisted management style contributed heavily to the Clippers’ reputation as an NBA joke.

The team began playing at the Staples Center alongside the Lakers starting in 1999. The 2005–06 season set a franchise record with 47 wins and included their first playoff series victory since relocating in 1976. During the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, they achieved their highest winning percentage (.606) along with another playoff series win. Led by stars such as Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, subsequent seasons saw franchise records of 56 and then 57 wins; however, playoff success remained limited to just one series win combined.

Despite offers from other cities and occasional games played in Anaheim prior to Staples Center’s opening, Sterling resisted relocating or selling the team. Over time he increased spending significantly by signing key players including Elton Brand (an $82 million contract over six years) and matching offers for restricted free agent Corey Maggette. Veteran acquisitions featured players like Cuttino Mobley, Tim Thomas, and local favorite Baron Davis. The Clippers also extended long-term contracts for head coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. and center Chris Kaman, both uncommon commitments under Sterling’s regime.

Only Dunleavy and former coach Bill Fitch served four or more seasons during Sterling’s tenure; Dunleavy’s seven-year term ended amid legal disputes over contract payments in 2010. The franchise also engaged in litigation with coaches Fitch and Bob Weiss, highlighting ongoing management difficulties.

In line with trends among NBA franchises establishing dedicated facilities, Sterling invested $50 million into constructing a practice complex and headquarters located in Los Angeles’ Playa Vista neighborhood which opened in 2008.

Sterling’s ownership approach attracted widespread criticism; ESPN The Magazine named the Clippers the worst professional sports franchise in America in 2009. He was notorious for publicly heckling players during games—most notably targeting Baron Davis. After racist comments were exposed in April 2014, media outlets widely condemned him as one of sports’ most reviled owners. Analysts observed that from his acquisition through the end of the 2013–14 season, under Sterling’s leadership the Clippers held the lowest winning percentage across all four major U.S. professional sports leagues.

Racist comments and lifetime prohibition

On April 25, 2014, TMZ Sports published an audio recording featuring a dialogue between Donald Sterling and his companion, V. Stiviano (born María Vanessa Perez). The conversation, recorded in September 2013, revealed Sterling’s displeasure over a photo Stiviano shared on Instagram with Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. Sterling stated, "It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you're associating with black people," further adding, "You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want," but insisted, "the little I ask you is ... not to bring them to my games."

The tape ignited widespread media attention and legal disputes involving Sterling, TMZ, and Stiviano. Clippers president Andy Roeser disclosed that the Sterling family had initiated legal action against Stiviano and claimed she had threatened Sterling. Prior to this, Sterling’s wife filed a lawsuit demanding the return of assets exceeding $2 million in value, including luxury vehicles and real estate.

Sterling’s statements had a significant effect on the NBA—a league largely composed of black athletes—and triggered internal team deliberations. Players contemplated boycotting a playoff match but ultimately chose to protest by wearing their jerseys inside-out to conceal team insignias. Numerous NBA teams and high-profile players publicly denounced Sterling’s remarks. The Los Angeles NAACP withdrew plans to present Sterling with a lifetime achievement award. Corporate sponsors such as Chumash Casino, CarMax, and Virgin America severed ties with the Clippers. Additionally, UCLA declined a $3 million donation from Sterling.

On April 29, NBA commissioner Adam Silver imposed a lifetime ban on Sterling and levied the maximum fine of $2.5 million. Silver revoked Sterling’s operational control over the Clippers and prohibited him from attending NBA events or entering league facilities. Furthermore, Silver revealed intentions to compel a sale of the franchise contingent upon approval by three-quarters of NBA owners.

Sterling issued a public apology on May 11 through CNN but denied being racist, claiming he was provoked into making the comments. He also attacked Magic Johnson personally, prompting Silver to apologize to Johnson on behalf of the league.

Shelly Sterling, Donald’s wife and co-owner since 1983, was not banned but faced potential loss of ownership should Donald be expelled. The NBA charged Donald Sterling with harming the league’s reputation and scheduled a hearing for June 3 to consider terminating his ownership rights.

On May 23, Shelly announced she had received authorization to negotiate the sale of the team. By May 29, she finalized a $2 billion agreement with former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, subject to NBA approval. Shelly agreed not to pursue litigation against the NBA and indemnified it from related claims. Consequently, the NBA canceled its planned termination hearing.

Donald Sterling denied consenting to the sale, refused to relinquish ownership, labeled the penalties as "draconian," and filed a $1 billion antitrust lawsuit against the NBA. On June 4, he withdrew the lawsuit and agreed to proceed with the sale pending approval by other owners.

However, on June 9, Sterling retracted his support for the transaction and resumed legal action. Probate court proceedings commenced in July to assess his mental competence; Shelly argued that he was afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. On July 28, the court ruled in Shelly’s favor, enabling her to complete the sale despite ongoing appeals.

The acquisition by Ballmer for $2 billion closed on August 12; as part of the agreement, Shelly received honorary titles. By April 2015, half of Ballmer’s payment remained in escrow pending resolution of Sterling’s continuing litigation.

In March 2016, U.S. District Judge Fernando M. Olguin dismissed Sterling’s lawsuit challenging the sale as "plainly insufficient" and "clearly implausible." Although Sterling appealed, he failed to submit an opening brief and later voluntarily dismissed the case.

In 2017, two law firms were permitted to continue pursuing a claim seeking over $270,000 in legal fees allegedly owed by Donald and Shelly Sterling related to probate proceedings that facilitated the Clippers’ sale.

Discrimination lawsuits

In February 2003, the Housing Rights Center of Los Angeles (HRC) initiated a housing discrimination lawsuit against Sterling on behalf of 18 tenants. The complaint included allegations that Sterling made racist remarks to employees, such as claiming that "black people emit unpleasant odors and attract pests" and that "Mexicans merely lounge around smoking and drinking all day." Additionally, he was accused of intending to rent exclusively to Korean tenants because "they pay rent reliably and accept any living conditions I impose."

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Sterling in 2006, accusing him of racial discrimination in the leasing of certain apartment complexes. The suit alleged he denied rentals to non-Koreans in Koreatown and African Americans in Beverly Hills. In November 2009, Sterling agreed to a $2.7 million settlement to resolve the case.

In February 2009, former Clippers executive Elgin Baylor brought a wrongful termination and employment discrimination suit against the team, citing age and race as factors. The complaint asserted that Sterling preferred "poor black boys from the South and a white head coach." It also noted that head coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. had secured a four-year, $22 million contract, while Baylor's salary had been frozen at $350,000 since 2003. Baylor later withdrew the racial discrimination claim. The trial commenced in March 2011, with the jury unanimously siding with the Clippers and Sterling.

Sexual harassment lawsuits

In 1996, Christine Jasky, who worked as a property management consultant for Sterling and also for the Clippers, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him. She alleged repeated offers of money in exchange for sex and requests to help recruit sexual partners. Sterling responded with a countersuit, and both parties reached a confidential agreement in 1998.

Sumner Davenport, a property supervisor dismissed by Sterling in 2002, sued him in 2003 alleging sexual harassment involving "unwanted and offensive physical behavior." She was unsuccessful at trial two years later. Court records indicate Davenport managed several of Sterling's apartment properties from his Beverly Hills office. She claimed her termination resulted from complaints about Sterling's racially discriminatory practices toward tenants, unlawful evictions, and inappropriate conduct directed at her. Sterling's organization denied these accusations.

Personal life

Sterling married Rochelle ("Shelly") Stein in 1955; together they had three children: Scott, Chris, and Joanna. Joanna’s spouse, Eric Miller, worked as the Clippers' director of basketball administration but voluntarily resigned following Sterling’s sale of the team.

Sterling maintained an extramarital relationship with Alexandra Castro. After their separation, he filed a lawsuit against her in 2003 concerning a property dispute. In 1999, Castro signed an agreement shielding Sterling from palimony claims, affirming he was "happily married" and committed to his domestic life. Castro later asserted that Sterling consulted her on personnel decisions related to the Clippers. Their dispute was resolved confidentially in 2004.

By late 2012, Sterling and Shelly became estranged after a family conflict involving a mistress. He relocated to a Beverly Hills residence after being asked to leave their Malibu beach home. Shortly thereafter, their son Scott died at age 32 due to an accidental drug overdose.

On August 5, 2015, Sterling filed for divorce from Shelly; however, by March 2016 their attorney announced they had reconciled and decided not to proceed with the divorce.

Health

In 2012, Sterling received a diagnosis and began treatment for prostate cancer. By May 2014, several medical professionals identified early signs of Alzheimer's disease in him. Subsequently, he was deemed mentally incapable of overseeing the financial matters of the Sterling Family Trust, which allowed his wife Shelly to proceed with the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers despite his opposition.

Miniseries

In the 2024 FX miniseries Clipped, Sterling’s controversial period as owner of the Clippers is depicted, with Ed O'Neill portraying him.

External links

• Donald T. Sterling's Skid Row Mirage, LA Weekly, Feb. 19, 2008