Donald Sterling facts for kids

Donald T. Sterling (born Donald Samuel Tokowitz; April 26, 1934) is an American lawyer and businessman. He was the owner of the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers basketball team in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for many years, from 1981 to 2014.

In April 2014, Mr. Sterling was banned from the NBA for life. He was also fined $2.5 million by the league. This happened after private recordings of him making offensive comments were made public. The NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, said he would recommend that Mr. Sterling be made to sell the team. In May, Mr. Sterling's wife, Shelly, agreed to sell the Clippers for $2 billion to Steve Ballmer. Mr. Sterling tried to stop the sale in court, but the NBA approved it in August 2014. Mr. Sterling later settled his lawsuit against the NBA in November 2016. He continues to work in real estate in Los Angeles.

Early Life and Name Change

Donald Sterling was born Donald Tokowitz on April 26, 1934, in Chicago. When he was two years old, his family moved to the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles. His parents, Susan and Mickey, were immigrants.

He went to Theodore Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles. There, he was on the gymnastics team and was class president. He finished high school in 1952. He then studied at California State University, Los Angeles and Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles.

When he was 25, he and his wife Shelly changed their last name to "Sterling." They did this because "Tokowitz" was hard for people to say. They also believed it would help them financially.

Career in Law and Real Estate

The Sterling Plaza in Beverly Hills, California

In 1961, Mr. Sterling began his career as a lawyer. He focused on divorce and personal injury cases. His biggest business ventures were in real estate. He started by buying a 26-apartment building in Beverly Hills.

In the 1960s, Mr. Sterling bought two large apartment buildings in the Westwood area of Los Angeles. He renamed them the Sterling Towers. In 1976, he leased the California Bank Building on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills and renamed it Sterling Plaza. This building was a famous Art Deco landmark built in 1930. By April 2014, he owned 162 properties in Los Angeles.

Owning an NBA Team

Donald Sterling and Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss helped each other get their NBA teams. In 1979, Mr. Buss sold some apartment buildings to Mr. Sterling for $2.7 million. This money helped Mr. Buss buy the Lakers, the Kings hockey team, and The Forum arena. Two years later, Mr. Buss suggested that Mr. Sterling buy his own NBA team. Mr. Sterling then bought the San Diego Clippers for $12.5 million.

When he first became owner in San Diego, Mr. Sterling promised to spend "unlimited sums" to make the Clippers a winning team. He put his smiling face on billboards and buses. The ads said: "My Promise: I will make you proud of the Clippers." However, the Clippers struggled for many years. They did not have their first winning season until 1991–92, which was 11 years after he bought the team. In his 33 years as owner, the Clippers lost 50 or more games 22 times.

In 1982, the NBA fined Mr. Sterling $10,000. This was the largest fine ever for an owner at that time. He had said he would accept the Clippers finishing last to get a top player in the NBA draft. In June 1982, Mr. Sterling tried to move the team to Los Angeles. The NBA investigated him and even suggested ending his ownership. Days before a vote to remove him, he agreed to sell the team. However, he later kept his position as owner but handed over team operations to Alan Rothenberg.

In 1984, Mr. Sterling moved the Clippers from San Diego to Los Angeles. He did this even though the NBA said no. The NBA fined him $25 million. He sued the league for $100 million but dropped the lawsuit when the fine was lowered to $6 million.

Mr. Sterling was often criticized for being careful with money when running the Clippers. The team was often seen as a joke in the NBA. The Clippers moved into the Staples Center for the 1999–2000 season. This was the same arena where the Lakers were often winning championships.

In the 2005–06 season, the Clippers won 47 games and made the playoffs. This was their best record since moving to California. They won their first playoff series since 1976. In the 2011–2012 season, they made the playoffs again with their best winning percentage ever. Led by players like Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, the Clippers had even better seasons in 2012–13 and 2013–14. They set new team records for wins but only won one playoff series during those years.

Mr. Sterling refused many offers to move the Clippers out of Los Angeles or sell the team. In later years, he showed he was more willing to spend money. In 2003, he signed Elton Brand to a big contract. He also signed other expensive players like Cuttino Mobley and Baron Davis. The team also gave long contract extensions to coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. and player Chris Kaman.

Under Mr. Sterling's ownership, only two coaches, Mike Dunleavy and Bill Fitch, lasted four seasons or more. Dunleavy coached for seven seasons, the longest in team history, but was later fired. The Clippers also had legal disagreements with former coaches over money owed.

Mr. Sterling spent $50 million to build a modern practice facility and team headquarters in Los Angeles. This facility opened in September 2008. Before this, the team practiced at a local health club.

Many people viewed Mr. Sterling's ownership negatively. ESPN The Magazine in 2009 called the Clippers the worst team in professional sports. In 2010, Mr. Sterling even yelled at his own players during home games. After the news of his offensive comments in 2014, many news outlets called him one of the "worst owners" in sports. Under his ownership, the Clippers had the lowest winning percentage in all four major American sports leagues.

Offensive Comments and Lifetime Ban

On April 25, 2014, a recording of a private conversation with Mr. Sterling was released. In the recording, from September 2013, Mr. Sterling was upset about a photo that showed a woman posing with famous basketball player Magic Johnson. In the recording, Mr. Sterling made offensive comments about people of color.

This recording received a lot of attention in the news. The Clippers' president issued a statement saying the woman in the recording was being sued by the Sterling family.

Mr. Sterling's comments affected the NBA, a league with many players of color. On April 26, the team discussed the issue. Coaches and players were angry. They considered not playing a game but decided against it. Instead, they protested by wearing their shirts inside-out during their pre-game huddle to hide the team logo. Players from other teams, like the Miami Heat, also showed support. Many current and former NBA players spoke out against Mr. Sterling's comments. The NAACP cancelled an award they were going to give him. President Barack Obama called the recording "incredibly offensive." Several team sponsors also ended their deals with the Clippers.

On April 29, 2014, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that Mr. Sterling was banned from the league for life. He was also fined $2.5 million. Mr. Silver took away almost all of Mr. Sterling's power over the Clippers. He was banned from entering any team facility or attending any NBA games. This was one of the strongest punishments ever given to a professional sports team owner. Mr. Silver also said he would try to force Mr. Sterling to sell the team.

On May 11, Mr. Sterling spoke publicly for the first time since his ban. He apologized and said he was "not a racist." He also criticized Magic Johnson. Commissioner Silver then apologized to Magic Johnson for being "degraded by such a malicious and personal attack."

Mr. Sterling's wife, Shelly, had co-owned the team. While she was not banned, the league said that if the main owner's interest was ended, all other owners' interests would also end. Mr. Sterling's lawyer called the NBA "hypocrites." The NBA formally accused Mr. Sterling of harming the league with his comments. A hearing was set for June 3 to decide if the Sterlings' ownership would be ended.

On May 23, Shelly Sterling said her husband had allowed her to sell the team. On May 29, she agreed to sell 100% of the Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion. Shelly also agreed not to sue the NBA. The NBA then cancelled its hearing.

Mr. Sterling later said he had not given his wife permission to sell the team. He denied all charges and refused to sell. He called the punishments "too harsh" and the process unfair. He then sued the NBA for $1 billion, saying they broke laws and his rights. On June 4, 2014, his lawyer said Mr. Sterling had decided to drop the lawsuit and allow the sale to Mr. Ballmer.

However, on June 9, Mr. Sterling's lawyer said he had changed his mind and would restart the lawsuit. Shelly was granted a court trial on July 7 to allow her to sell the team as the only trustee. She said doctors reported that Mr. Sterling had Alzheimer's disease and could not manage his financial affairs. On July 28, the court sided with Shelly. Mr. Ballmer's $2 billion purchase of the team was completed on August 12. Shelly received the titles "Clippers Number One Fan" and "owner emeritus."

A judge dismissed Mr. Sterling's lawsuit over the sale in March 2016. He appealed, but his lawyers did not file the necessary papers. The case ended with him voluntarily dismissing it.

Personal Life

In 1955, Mr. Sterling married Rochelle ("Shelly") Stein. They had three children: Scott, Chris, and Joanna. Joanna's husband, Eric Miller, worked for the Clippers but left after Mr. Sterling sold the team.

Donald and Shelly Sterling became separated at the end of 2012. He moved to a mansion in Beverly Hills, California, after she asked him to leave their beach house.

On August 5, 2015, Mr. Sterling's lawyer confirmed he had filed for divorce from Shelly. However, in March 2016, his lawyer said that the Sterlings had "resolved their differences" and decided not to get divorced.

Health

In 2012, Mr. Sterling began treatment for prostate cancer. By May 2014, doctors said Mr. Sterling was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. He was found to be mentally unable to manage the financial matters of the Sterling Family Trust. This allowed his wife, Shelly, to sell the Los Angeles Clippers on his behalf, even though he disagreed.

Miniseries

Mr. Sterling is played by Ed O'Neill in the 2024 FX miniseries Clipped.