Last night the word came out that Donald Sterling had been ruled mentally incompetent by the Sterling Family and therefore his signature was not needed to finish the sale of the Clippers with Steve Ballmer for $2B. Now according to TMZ, he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s:
Sources connected with the Sterling family tell TMZ …. the trust agreement that governs the family’s ownership of the team provides if 2 qualified doctors determine either Donald or Shelly shows “an inability to conduct business affairs in a reasonable and normal manner” … they will then be stripped of control over the team.
We’re told earlier this month Donald agreed to an examination by 2 prominent neurologists. He underwent extensive tests, including a CT and PET scan. We’re told both doctors diagnosed Donald with Alzheimer’s and concluded he may have had the disease for as long as 5 years. The doctors both concluded he did not have the ability to conduct the business of the team.
This certainly is another twist in this lingering saga. Call me a cynic but I can’t help but wonder if this paves the way for Shelly to say that he didn’t know what he was saying on those tapes and try to retain some control. Or can Donald’s lawyer argue that the letter his signed turning control over to Shelly is invalid?
We will see how this all plays out.