Donald Sterling was a real estate mogul and owner of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team. He was born in Chicago in 1934 and attended California State University, Los Angeles, where he earned a degree in business administration. Sterling began his career as a divorce and personal injury lawyer before transitioning to real estate in the 1960s.
Sterling's real estate empire began with the purchase of a 26-unit apartment building in Beverly Hills. He went on to acquire numerous properties throughout Southern California, including office buildings, shopping centers, and apartment complexes. Sterling was known for his aggressive business tactics and was involved in several high-profile legal battles over the years.
In 1981, Sterling purchased the San Diego Clippers basketball team for $12.5 million and moved them to Los Angeles. He became the owner of the team until 2014, when he was banned from the NBA for life after making racist comments. During his ownership, the Clippers struggled to find success on the court, making the playoffs only a handful of times.
Sterling was also known for his controversial behavior off the court. He was sued multiple times for housing discrimination, with tenants alleging that he refused to rent to African Americans and Hispanics. In 2009, he paid a $2.73 million settlement to the Justice Department to resolve allegations of housing discrimination.
In 2014, Sterling's career came to a dramatic end when a recording of him making racist comments was leaked to the media. In the recording, Sterling can be heard telling his girlfriend not to associate with black people or bring them to Clippers games. The comments sparked widespread outrage, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling from the league for life and fined him $2.5 million.
Despite his controversial legacy, Sterling's impact on the real estate industry and the NBA cannot be denied. He was a shrewd businessman who built a vast real estate empire and brought professional basketball to Los Angeles. However, his racist comments and discriminatory practices tarnished his reputation and will forever be a stain on his career.
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