|
LOS ANGELES, Calif. Jermaine Jones USA . - A judge ruled against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling on Monday in his attempt to block the $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. In the tentative ruling, Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas sided with Sterlings estranged wife Shelly Sterling, who burst into tears when the ruling was announced. "I cant believe its over. I feel good," she said. Shelly Sterling negotiated the sale of the team after the 80-year-old billionaire was banned by the NBA for making offensive remarks about blacks. She sought approval from a probate judge for the deal she struck after removing her husband from the trust that owned the team when doctors found he had signs of Alzheimers disease and couldnt manage his affairs. Donald Sterling claimed his wife deceived him about the medical exams. He later revoked the trust after she negotiated the record-setting sales price and his lawyers argued that the move killed the deal. They said the case didnt belong in probate court because the trust had been dissolved. The ruling in Los Angeles County Superior Court is unlikely to put an end to the bizarre saga that began in April when a recording surfaced of Sterling scolding his young girlfriend for bringing black men to Clippers games. The NBA moved quickly to ban Sterling for life and fined him $2.5 million. Sterling was apologetic after the audio recording went viral, but his mea culpa backfired when he criticized Lakers great Magic Johnson, who had been photographed with Sterlings girlfriend, as a bad role model for kids because he had HIV. Sterling was roundly criticized from locker rooms to the Oval Office, where President Barack Obama called Sterlings remarks "incredibly offensive racist statements." With the NBA threatening to seize the team and auction it, Sterling initially gave his wife of 58 years permission to negotiate a sale but then refused to sign it. He said he would sue the league instead and then revoked the trust. The nonjury trial held over several weeks focused mainly on whether Shelly Sterling properly removed her husband as a trustee and whether her actions carried any weight after he revoked the trust. Donald Sterlings lawyers contended that his wife and her lawyers conspired to trick him and that the mental exams by two doctors were faulty. They said Sterling didnt know his competency as a trustee was being evaluated and that he showed no signs of incompetence on the witness stand. In combative testimony, Sterling said he would "never, ever sell" the team he bought in 1981 for about $12 million. He vowed to fight the NBA in court until the day he dies. Before taking the stand, he kissed his wife and then testified that he loved her. But the following day when she approached him in court he yelled, "get away from me, you pig!" Sterling, a lawyer who made a fortune as a landlord, has filed an antitrust lawsuit in federal court against the NBA and he sued his wife, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the league in state court. Lawyers for Shelly Sterling and Ballmer had urged the judge to let the sale go through because it was in the best interest of the family trust. They said an auction was less likely to bring such a high price and that coach Doc Rivers, key players and sponsors were likely to walk if Donald Sterlings ownership was prolonged. "The trust has a golden bird in the hand," Shelly Sterlings lawyers wrote in court papers. "A sale of the Clippers for $2 billion is indisputably a bonanza for the Sterling family. Donalds strident opposition is motivated by only selfish considerations." Donald Sterling said he could get more for the team by also selling TV rights and through his $9 billion suit against the league. ___ AP Special Correspondent Linda Deutsch contributed to this story.Tim Howard USA Jersey . Doneil Henry, the man who scored Toronto FCs last-gasp game winner Saturday, knows that probably better than anyone. DaMarcus Beasley Jersey . Ecclestone dismissed on Wednesday any clash between the series, after the top executive at Texas Motor Speedway called F1 "arrogant" for scheduling the United States Grand Prix in Austin on the same weekend that his track hosts NASCAR in Fort Worth.TORONTO -- Randy Carlyle stepped up to the microphone and knew the question about Dave Bollands status was coming. "Who?" Carlyle said with a laugh. "Bolly is actually having an assessment done right now and I would say that hes a probable for us for tonight." Before game time, probable became more than likely as the Leafs activated Bolland off long-term injured reserve, paving the way for his return Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens. Bolland missed 56 straight games since suffering a severed tendon in the back of his left ankle Nov. 2 when he was cut by the skate blade of Canucks forward Zack Kassian. "Hes progressed along over the last three weeks to a point where the doctors feel, medically, that hes close to 100 per cent ready," Carlyle said. To make room for Bolland and his cap hit, the Leafs sent winger Carter Ashton to the AHLs Toronto Marlies early Saturday afternoon and then centre Peter Holland later on. Bolland was not made available to speak to reporters Saturday. When he addressed his status after Fridays practice, the 27-year-old centre said that "hopefully something clicks" that allows him to feel ready to go. "A few weeks ago when you sort of had the little doubts of when this was going to go upwards and when things were going to start getting positive, we were getting a little doubtful," Bolland said. &quuot;But things are getting up there and things are working. Claudio Reyna USA. Its been the little things in the gym that have helped this get stronger." Now that he has the green light, its full speed ahead. Bolland is expected to centre the Leafs third line between Mason Raymond and David Clarkson. That would mean Bolland is likely not to play 19 minutes 30 seconds like he did in his final full game before getting injured, but Carlyle doesnt know if hed limit his ice time. "Well see how the game goes," Carlyle said. "Obviously youd like to get more people involved the hockey game. Everybody talks about a four-line game. Four lines this, four lines that but we havent been really went that mode. "Wed like to be able to do that on a more regular basis. With an addition of a Bolland it gives you a little bit more depth throughout your lineup with a veteran guy and it slots people more into where we envisioned them at the beginning of the year." The lineup the Leafs envisioned and had at the start of the year also included goaltender Jonathan Bernier, but the Laval, Que., native wont be ready to dress against the Habs. Carlyle said Bernier is still experiencing problems relating to his groin injury. James Reimer, who did not take part in the morning skate, will make his fourth straight start. Drew MacIntyre is expected to serve as his backup. ' ' ' |
