Donald Sterling said some eyebrow-raising things over the course of his testimony in probate court. Sterling, who's in court arguing the legality of his wife selling the Los Angeles Clippers franchise, said a number of things while on stand - below are the most shocking.
Sterling is in probate court to argue the legality of his wife, Shelly, selling the Clippers franchise for $2 billion to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. The trial, presided over by judge Michael Levanas, is to determine: 1) whether Shelly properly complied with the terms of the Sterling Family Trust when she had Donald removed, 2) if the doctors who ruled Donald mentally incompetent deceived him during the examination and violated patient privacy laws by disseminating the results to attorneys and 3) if Shelly had the legal right to continue with the sale despite Donald changing his mind.
Below are selected quotes from Donald's testimony from Tuesday and Wednesday.
To Shelly's attorney, Bert Fields:
"What kind of question is that? I'm talking about your questions, all of them. I'm sure they will improve."
"Do you rely on CNN for your information?"
"I thought you were going to make me cry. Didn't you say that? Isn't that in your bio? That's so presumptuous for a member of the Bar."
"I don't talk to the NBA. I don't talk to your firm. I just talk to my lawyers."
About the NBA:
"(Shelly is) a good person but they (the NBA) are not good people."
"My wife was terrified (when she agreed to sell the Clippers). She can't sleep, because she thinks the NBA will take everything away from her. Her motivation was she was scared out of her mind. She couldn't sleep."
"I tried to convince her that the NBA is just like any other corporation in America, only worse."
About Shelly:
"She deceived me. I trusted her. I never thought a wife wouldn't stand for her husband."
"She has no rights whatsoever. She has no stock. She has no standing whatsoever."
To Shelly: "Get away from me, you pig!"
Judge Levanas doubted the trial would conclude by July 15, when the NBA owners are scheduled to vote on the Clippers sale to Ballmer.
Donald has vowed to fight the NBA in court for however long it takes. He also said he believes the Clippers could have been sold for a much higher price, citing the impending sale of television rights.
