Sterling Trial Day IV: No Donald Sterling makes proceedings slightly less erratic as Shelly Sterling takes center stage
By Micky Shaked
Donald Sterling was nowhere to be found on day four as Shelly Sterling was the trial’s lone witness Thursday, and Judge Michael Levanas’ day had to be slightly less taxing for it.
Though attorney Max Blecher did his best to impersonate the antagonizing Donald Sterling, including an attempt to call Shelly Sterling’s attorney as a witness, the biggest news again came once the questions had been exhausted. Judge Levanas gave the trial a tangible end date, which is more than we can say about the LeBron James NBA free agency waiting game.
Sterling trial will reconvene July 21 at 8:30am and go all day and continue July 22 at 1:30pm. End of testimony should be July 22.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 10, 2014
Closing arguments will be July 28 at 1:30 p.m.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 10, 2014
Though this appears to conflict with the July 15 deadline for Shelly Sterling and Steve Ballmer to officially conclude the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers, Ballmer’s lawyer believes they will have no trouble getting an extension by showing real progress towards the deal.
Blecher kept Shelly Sterling on the stand for nearly two hours, badgering her with questions she couldn’t answer.
In a repeat of yesterday’s testimony, Shelly continued to demonstrate that her husband had been behind (and involved in) her negotiation of the $2 billion sale, until he wasn’t.
Shelly Sterling "I didn't need to remove him as trustee since I had permission to sell the team."
— Kim Baldonado (@KimNBCLA) July 10, 2014
Shelly said Donald said "who did you interview today what did they offer?" He was involved in the sale she said.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 10, 2014
"His biggest concern was to stop the sale of the team by the league." - Shelly on Donald's mindset before 6/3 NBA meeting
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 10, 2014
Shelly said Donald was adamant about selling the Clippers before June 3 and suddenly changed after the $2 billion agreement with Ballmer.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 10, 2014
For those of you keeping track, this is probably more confusing than a baseball scorecard. If you recall Wednesday’s testimony, Donald Sterling loudly proclaimed he would never sell the team and wants the league to make the transaction so he can throw down his antitrust lawsuit.
In a surprising twist, Shelly Sterling revealed that the sale of the team was necessary for financial reasons despite Donald Sterling’s $1.9 billion net worth, according to Forbes.com (which she apparently doesn’t read).
Since DTS revoked trust, banks have tried to recall $500 million in loans, per Shelly
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 10, 2014
Shelly said the $2 billion sale of the team would enable the Sterlings to pay off the bank loans.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 10, 2014
Another wrinkle came to the surface about one of Donald Sterling’s many flip-flop moments. *According to Shelly Sterling*, NBA commissioner Adam Silver actually considered lowering the lifetime ban when it appeared he had Sterling’s cooperation.
Shelly told Donald's lawyers she wanted Donald to put in writing he'd accept Silver's 1 yr ban/2 yr probation so he couldn't change his mind
— Kim Baldonado (@KimNBCLA) July 10, 2014
Though those claims have yet to be verified.
Which is, not, um, what the NBA has said about the matter.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 10, 2014
True or not, Donald Sterling went rogue.
Shelly said Silver was open to negotiating with Donald on ban but he then threatened to sue, find dirt on them. "He made it difficult."
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 10, 2014
Minutes after confessing surprise that her own husband would sue her for doing what he asked, Shelly Sterling hugged Blecher.
After a nearly 2 hour often tense cross examination by Donald's attorney Max Blecher, Shelly leaves the stand and hugs Blecher
— Kim Baldonado (@KimNBCLA) July 10, 2014
What?
With an eleven day recess, Judge Levanas will be counting down the hours until he gets to preside again.
Judge: "I'm going to miss seeing you guys." Kudos to Judge Michael Levanas.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 10, 2014
We will too.