The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A timeline of developments in the record $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer:
April 25 — Recordings emerge and quickly spread of team owner Donald Sterling denouncing his girlfriend for bringing black men to Clippers games.
April 29 — Sterling gets a lifetime ban and $2.5 million fine from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who called the remarks hateful and deeply offensive.
May 12 — Sterling says in TV interview he’s not a racist and apologizes for his remarks then starts fresh firestorm with disparaging comment about Magic Johnson and HIV.
May 13 — Shelly Sterling says in TV interview that she fears Donald Sterling is in early stages of dementia.
May 29 — Shelly Sterling reaches agreement to sell the team for $2 billion to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. She says she has the authority under the family trust after two doctors found her 80-year-old husband had symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
June 4 — Donald Sterling agrees to sign off on sale.
June 9 — Donald Sterling pulls support for deal, vows long court fight to keep team.
July 7 — Probate court trial begins on legality of sale.
July 8-9 — Donald Sterling gives caustic, combative testimony during trial, shouting at lawyers for both sides and saying Shelly Sterling duped him. He calls her a pig when she tries to approach him after her testimony.
July 28 — Probate judge rules against Donald Sterling, says deal to sell team can go forward.
Aug. 8 — Probate judge refuses Donald Sterling’s request to block the sale but says he could file it again.
Aug. 11 — Probate judge enters his order confirming the authority of Shelly Sterling, on behalf of the Sterling Family Trust, to sell the team to Ballmer.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
