Shelly 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 named Donald Samuel Tokowitz; born April 26, 1934) is an American lawyer and entrepreneur who owned the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) 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 his racist remarks. NBA commissioner Adam Silver promptly announced the suspension and strongly urged that Sterling be compelled to sell the team. By May, Sterling’s wife Shelly consented to the Sterling Family Trust’s sale of the Clippers for $2 billion to Steve Ballmer. Although Sterling challenged the transaction legally, the NBA Board of Governors approved Ballmer’s acquisition in August 2014. Sterling resolved his lawsuit against the league in November 2016 and continues to be active in Los Angeles real estate ventures.

Sterling’s tenure as Clippers owner has been widely condemned, with many critics ranking him among the most ineffective owners in American professional sports history.

Early life

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

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

Legal and real estate career

Sterling launched his professional journey in 1961 as a divorce and personal injury attorney, eventually shifting focus toward real estate investments by acquiring a 26-unit apartment complex in Beverly Hills. During the 1960s, he purchased two sizable apartment buildings in Westwood, Los Angeles, originally called Lesser Towers, which he renamed Sterling Towers (currently known as Sterling International Towers). In 1976, he secured a lease for the California Bank Building on Beverly Hills’ Wilshire Boulevard, rebranding it as Sterling Plaza. This Art Deco structure was originally constructed in 1930 by Louis B. Mayer, cofounder of MGM. By the year 2000, Sterling maintained a 99-year lease arrangement with the Mayer estate that required a modest annual payment plus 15% of rental income, making him the sole occupant. As of April 2014, his portfolio included ownership of 162 properties throughout Los Angeles.

NBA ownership

Sterling and Jerry Buss, majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, played key roles in facilitating each other’s NBA franchise acquisitions. In 1979, Buss financed his $67 million purchase of the Lakers, Kings hockey team, and The Forum arena by selling part of his apartment holdings to Sterling for $2.7 million. Two years later, at Buss’s suggestion, Sterling acquired the San Diego Clippers for $12.5 million.

During his introductory press conference in San Diego, Sterling vowed to invest unlimited resources toward transforming the Clippers into contenders and initiated a marketing campaign centered on his personal image. Unlike Buss’s immediate success with the Lakers, Sterling’s Clippers struggled significantly; their first winning season did not arrive until 1991–92—11 years after he took ownership. Across his 33-year tenure through the 2013–14 season, the Clippers recorded more than 50 losses in 22 seasons and endured multiple campaigns exceeding 60 defeats.

In 1982, Sterling was fined $10,000 by the NBA—the largest penalty imposed on an owner at that time—after publicly stating he would accept last place for better draft positioning. That same year he attempted to relocate the franchise to Los Angeles but faced an NBA inquiry due to delayed payments owed to creditors and players. When threatened with removal from ownership, Sterling agreed to sell but ultimately retained control after delegating operations to Alan Rothenberg. By 1983, the league regarded the Clippers as a "first-class" organization.

Emulating Al Davis's antitrust victory relocating the Raiders without league consent, Sterling moved the Clippers to Los Angeles in 1984 despite opposition from NBA officials. The league imposed a $25 million fine; Sterling filed a $100 million lawsuit but settled for a reduced penalty of $6 million. His cost-conscious management style combined with persistent poor performance led to widespread ridicule of the Clippers within professional basketball circles.

The team began playing at the Staples Center starting with the 1999–2000 season alongside their cross-town rivals, the Lakers. The 2005–06 campaign marked a franchise best with 47 wins and their fourth playoff appearance under Sterling's ownership; they achieved their first playoff series victory since 1976 before being eliminated in the semifinals. During the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season, they posted their highest winning percentage (.606), won a first-round series against Memphis but fell in conference semifinals. Led by stars Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, they set new regular-season win records with 56 victories in 2012–13 and improved to 57 wins in 2013–14 but managed only one playoff series win across those two seasons.

Sterling consistently declined multiple offers to relocate or sell the franchise and resisted permanent moves outside Los Angeles despite scheduling some games in Anaheim prior to opening Staples Center. He increased financial commitments later on through significant contracts such as Elton Brand’s six-year deal worth $82 million signed in 2003 and matching Corey Maggette’s $45 million contract extension. The roster also featured veterans like Cuttino Mobley, Tim Thomas, and local product Baron Davis. For the first time during Sterling’s ownership era, head coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. was granted a four-year contract extension along with center Chris Kaman receiving a five-year deal beginning with the 2007–08 season.

Only Dunleavy and former coach Bill Fitch (1994–1998) served four or more seasons at head coach during Sterling’s ownership period. Dunleavy was dismissed from coaching duties in February 2010 and subsequently fired as general manager one month later amid allegations of fraud; an arbitrator ordered Clippers management to pay him $13 million in damages during 2011. The organization also faced legal battles with former coaches Fitch and Bob Weiss, both pursuing claims for unpaid compensation following premature terminations.

Sterling invested approximately $50 million into constructing a cutting-edge practice facility and headquarters located in Los Angeles’ Playa Vista neighborhood that opened its doors in September 2008. Prior to this development, team practices were held at various local gyms and college venues.

Criticism of Sterling’s stewardship was widespread; ESPN The Magazine labeled the Clippers as professional sports’ worst franchise in 2009. Unlike typical owners, Sterling was known for heckling players courtside during home games—most notably targeting Baron Davis. After racial remarks attributed to him became public in April 2014, media outlets described him as "one of basketball's worst owners," while The New York Times and Forbes referred to him as "the worst owner" across all major sports leagues. From his initial purchase through the end of the 2013–14 season, the Clippers held the lowest winning percentage among teams spanning all four major American sports leagues.

Lifetime ban and racist comments

On April 25, 2014, TMZ Sports published a recorded conversation between Donald Sterling and his mistress, V. Stiviano (born María Vanessa Perez). The audio, recorded in September 2013, captured Sterling expressing displeasure over a photograph Stiviano shared featuring Magic Johnson, stating, "It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you're associating with black people," and adding, "You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want," but insisted she refrain from bringing them to his basketball games.

This recording ignited widespread media attention and prompted legal proceedings. Sterling hired attorney Bobby Samini to handle disputes involving the NBA, TMZ, and Stiviano. Clippers president Andy Roeser revealed that the Sterling family was suing Stiviano and claimed she had threatened Sterling. Prior to this, Sterling’s wife filed a lawsuit seeking the return of gifts given to Stiviano, which included a $1.8 million duplex in Los Angeles and luxury vehicles.

Sterling’s comments had significant repercussions within the NBA, a league with a majority of African American players. During a Clippers team meeting, players and coaches expressed outrage; they contemplated boycotting an upcoming playoff game but ultimately chose to demonstrate their protest by wearing their jerseys inside-out to conceal team logos. Numerous NBA figures—including LeBron James, Kevin Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan—publicly condemned Sterling’s remarks. 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 from all league activities and fined him $2.5 million. He was stripped of all control over the Clippers and barred from entering NBA facilities or attending games. Silver also announced intentions to compel the sale of the franchise, contingent upon approval by at least 75% of NBA owners.

Sterling issued a public apology on CNN on May 11, denying any racist intent and claiming he had been "baited" by Stiviano; however, during the interview he disparaged Magic Johnson’s character. Commissioner Silver later apologized directly to Johnson for Sterling’s offensive statements.

Shelly Sterling, Donald’s wife and co-owner of the team since 1983 who also served as an alternate governor, was not banned but faced loss of ownership if Donald’s stake was revoked. Sterling’s legal counsel criticized the NBA’s actions as hypocritical. The league formally accused Sterling of harming its reputation and scheduled a hearing to consider revoking his ownership rights.

On May 23, Shelly Sterling announced she had been granted authority to negotiate the sale of the Clippers. By May 29, she reached an agreement to sell the entire franchise to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion, subject to NBA approval. Shelly agreed not to pursue litigation against the NBA and indemnified it against related claims; as a result, the league canceled its planned hearing.

Donald Sterling denied consenting to the sale and filed a $1 billion lawsuit against the NBA alleging antitrust violations. On June 4, he agreed to drop the lawsuit and permit the sale pending league approval but reversed this decision on June 9 and resumed legal action. A probate court trial was scheduled for July 7 to determine Shelly’s authority as sole trustee due to Donald’s alleged mental incapacity caused by Alzheimer’s disease.

On July 23, Sterling initiated a lawsuit against his wife, the NBA, and Commissioner Silver accusing them of corporate law breaches intended to block the sale. However, on July 28, probate court ruled in favor of Shelly Sterling, allowing the sale to proceed regardless of any appeals. Ballmer finalized his $2 billion purchase on August 12; under the agreement Shelly received honorary titles within the organization. As of April 2015, half of Ballmer’s payment remained in escrow pending resolution of Sterling’s ongoing lawsuit.

In March 2016, U.S. District Judge Fernando M. Olguin dismissed Sterling’s suit as "plainly insufficient." Although Sterling appealed this decision, he failed to submit an opening brief and eventually voluntarily dismissed the case.

In 2017, a judge authorized two law firms to pursue collection of more than $270,000 in legal fees owed by Donald and Shelly Sterling related to the 2014 probate proceedings that enabled 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 staff, such as claiming "black people smell and attract vermin" and asserting that "Mexicans just sit around and smoke and drink all day." Additionally, he was accused of preferring to rent exclusively to Korean tenants because "they will pay the rent and live in whatever conditions I give them."

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Sterling in 2006, accusing him of considering race when allocating apartments. The suit alleged he denied rental opportunities to non-Koreans in Koreatown and African Americans in Beverly Hills. Sterling settled the case in November 2009 by agreeing to pay a $2.7 million fine.

In February 2009, former Clippers executive Elgin Baylor brought a lawsuit against the team alleging wrongful termination and discrimination based on age and race. The complaint stated Sterling aimed to assemble a team comprised of "poor black boys from the South and a white head coach." It also asserted that head coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. received a four-year contract worth $22 million due to his race, while Baylor’s salary remained frozen at $350,000 since 2003. Baylor eventually withdrew the racial discrimination claim. The trial took place in March 2011, resulting in a unanimous jury verdict favoring the Clippers and Sterling.

Sexual harassment lawsuits

In 1996, Christine Jasky, who worked as a property management consultant for Sterling and was also involved with the Clippers, filed a sexual harassment suit against him. She alleged Sterling offered her money in exchange for sex and requested she find sexual partners for him. Sterling responded with a countersuit, and the parties reached a confidential settlement by 1998.

Sumner Davenport, a property supervisor for Sterling who was dismissed in 2002, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit in 2003 citing "unwanted and offensive physical conduct." She ultimately lost at trial two years later. Davenport claimed her termination was retaliation for opposing Sterling’s racially discriminatory practices toward tenants, illegal evictions, and inappropriate behavior. Sterling’s organization denied these allegations related to her dismissal.

Personal life

Sterling married Rochelle ("Shelly") Stein in 1955, and together they had three children: Scott, Chris, and Joanna. Joanna’s husband, Eric Miller, served as the Clippers’ director of basketball administration before voluntarily stepping down following Sterling’s sale of the team.

Sterling maintained an extramarital relationship with Alexandra Castro. After their relationship ended, he filed a lawsuit against her in 2003 seeking possession of a house she was occupying. In 1999, Castro had signed an agreement protecting Sterling from palimony claims, affirming he was "happily married" and had no intention of violating his domestic commitments. Castro claimed she advised Sterling on Clippers personnel matters. The dispute was resolved through a confidential settlement in 2004.

Sterling and Shelly became estranged toward the end of 2012 after he relocated to a Beverly Hills mansion following her eviction of him from their Malibu beach residence amid a family conflict sparked by a phone argument involving one of his mistresses. Shortly thereafter, Sterling’s son Scott passed away at age 32 due to an accidental narcotic overdose.

On August 5, 2015, Sterling initiated divorce proceedings against Shelly; however, their attorney announced in March 2016 that they had reconciled and would not proceed with the divorce.

Health

In 2012, Sterling was diagnosed and began receiving treatment for prostate cancer. By May 2014, several medical professionals confirmed he was exhibiting early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Subsequently, he was deemed legally 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

The 2024 FX miniseries Clipped features Ed O'Neill portraying Sterling, dramatizing his contentious period as owner of the Clippers and the events leading to his eventual downfall.

External links

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