After a scandal that shook the sports world in 2014, Donald Sterling, the former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, seems to have settled into a quieter life away from the spotlight.
Sterling’s tumultuous NBA career came to an abrupt end when an audio recording surfaced of him making racist remarks to his mistress, V. Stiviano. The tape, released by TMZ Sports on April 25, 2014, captured Sterling expressing his discomfort with Stiviano associating publicly with Black people. The fallout was swift and severe, with NBA players and officials condemning his comments, including LeBron James, who declared, “There’s no place for Donald Sterling in our league.”
In response to the controversy, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling for life and imposed a hefty fine of $2.5 million. Subsequently, Sterling was forced to sell the Clippers, a team he had owned for decades, but he didn’t lose his substantial wealth in the process. According to Forbes, Sterling’s net worth remains around $4 billion.
Despite initial plans to contest the NBA’s actions and seek legal recourse, Sterling eventually settled with the league in 2016. Reflecting on the sale of the team, he later admitted that it turned out to be a positive change for him. “I was trying to negotiate the highest price I could,” Sterling remarked, highlighting his financial acumen in the deal.
Following these events, Sterling reconciled with his wife, Shelly, and retreated to a more private life in Malibu. He has expressed contentment with his current circumstances, stating, “I am as happy as I have ever been. I am as comfortable as I have ever been.” Sterling is often seen in the area, occasionally accompanied by his wife, enjoying the tranquility of their surroundings.
The miniseries Clipped, starring Ed O’Neill as Sterling, revisits the scandal and the ensuing turmoil that engulfed Sterling’s life. Spanning six episodes, the series explores the dramatic events and their impact on Sterling’s legacy. Fans can catch Clipped streaming on Hulu, offering a dramatic portrayal of one of the most infamous incidents in sports history.
