Donald Sterling

American businessman

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July 19, 2026

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Donald Sterling is an American businessman primarily known for his controversial ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team. He purchased the franchise in 1981 and moved it to Los Angeles in 1984. Under his ownership, the Clippers were frequently one of the league's least successful teams. Sterling's tenure was marked by numerous lawsuits, including allegations of discriminatory housing practices in his real estate business. In 2014, Sterling was banned for life from the NBA and fined after racist remarks he made were made public. This led to a legal battle, and his wife eventually sold the team to Steve Ballmer for a record $2 billion.1

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Los Angeles Clippers
…the Clippers were sold to Donald Sterling, a Los Angeles-based real estate mogul, who moved the team to his home city in 1984. The team did not fare any better in its new home, finishing with a losing record in each season from 1984–85 to 1990–91. In 1991–92 the Clippers,…
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…the Clippers were sold to Donald Sterling, a Los Angeles-based real estate mogul, who moved the team to his home city in 1984. The team did not fare any better in its new home, finishing with a losing record in each season from 1984–85 to 1990–91. In 1991–92 the Clippers,…
Read More

Doc Rivers
Coaching career
…comments made by Clippers owner Donald Sterling that broke into the news during the opening round of the playoffs. The team nevertheless advanced to the conference semifinals, where it could not upset the higher-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in a close six-game series that featured dramatic last-minute comebacks by both teams.
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…comments made by Clippers owner Donald Sterling that broke into the news during the opening round of the playoffs. The team nevertheless advanced to the conference semifinals, where it could not upset the higher-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in a close six-game series that featured dramatic last-minute comebacks by both teams.
Read More