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Donald SterlingAmerican businessman
Date of Birth: 26.04.1934
Country:  USA |
Content:
American businessman
Donald Sterling was an American businessman, millionaire, lawyer, and former owner of the popular basketball club 'Los Angeles Clippers'. Despite setting a record in the National Basketball Association (NBA) by owning the team for 33 seasons, Sterling found himself at the center of the biggest scandal in the history of the association in the mid-2014. It was revealed from his personal conversations that Sterling had a deep disdain for black players throughout his years in professional sports and never hesitated to use derogatory language to describe their place in the world. He believed they were beneath him and any white person.
Controversial remarks
Initially, nobody could have imagined that these rumors could be confirmed. Firstly, basketball was one of the first sports to overcome racism. Secondly, team owners had never before tried to express their personal beliefs and solely base their team's decisions on them. Lastly, it was hard to believe that there were still people in professional American sports with a mindset from previous centuries. However, as the investigation showed, such people still existed, and Donald Sterling not only revealed the list of the most ardent racists in the NBA but also surpassed even the most diligent competitors. His statements not only insulted black athletes but didn't even reach the level of insults, as Donald simply preferred to avoid any contact with them, from chance encounters on the street to the appearance of black specialists in the team.
Biography of Donald Sterling
Donald Sterling was born on April 26, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois. After finishing school, he studied law at the University of California, Los Angeles, and obtained a master's degree from the Southwestern Law School. Sterling amassed his fortune through the purchase and sale of land and private property. To distance himself from his Jewish heritage, he changed his last name to Sterling and started a private business that quickly began to generate enormous income. In the early 1980s, the entrepreneur acquired the struggling NBA team, the 'San Diego Clippers'. Over the years, the team moved to Los Angeles and attracted numerous sponsors. With a new coaching staff and young players, the team quickly began to improve. Eventually, the team's name was changed to the 'Los Angeles Clippers'. Over 33 seasons, the Clippers became a successful club, although less popular compared to other California teams.
The scandal and aftermath
In 2014, the sports media erupted with news about Donald Sterling. Journalists quickly recalled his aggressive and racist statements made in the 1990s and closely examined his relationships with black athletes. For many, it was a mystery why Donald was involved in basketball, where black players currently make up the majority and have often achieved great success. The NBA fined Donald $2.5 million, the highest fine in the history of American basketball, and imposed a lifetime ban from the sport. Within weeks, the biggest basketball stars threatened to boycott games if action was not taken against Sterling. It was no secret that the club would soon have a new owner. Since Sterling himself could not participate in the deal, his wife, Shelly, sold the 'Los Angeles Clippers'. The new owner of the team became Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft, and the deal was valued at $2 billion. The scandal was extremely unpleasant for Sterling, but he did not end up empty-handed, as his current fortune is estimated at $1.9 billion. However, in recent times, Donald has rarely been seen in public, as the title of the "NBA's biggest racist" has overshadowed all his successful financial endeavors.
