NBA
For a record $2B, Ballmer the new Clippers owner
LOS ANGELES – Steve Ballmer officially became the new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday for a record $2 billion.
The team said the sale closed after a California court confirmed the authority of Shelly Sterling, on behalf of the Sterling Family Trust, to sell the franchise to the former Microsoft chief executive officer. Her estranged husband, Donald Sterling, unsuccessfully fought the sale of the team he owned since 1981 in court.
The NBA Board of Governors previously approved the sale.
Adam Streisand, Ballmer’s attorney, said Tuesday that Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas signed the order authorizing the sale even if Donald Sterling’s attorneys filed an appeal.
Streisand said even if Donald Sterling seeks an emergency order directing the judge to vacate his order, the attorney is confident an appellate court would agree that Levanas made the correct decision.
The transaction ends the 80-year-old Donald Sterling’s run as the longest-tenured owner in the NBA after 33 years. After buying the Clippers in 1981, he moved the franchise from San Diego to Los Angeles three years later.
Hornets bid to host future NBA All-Star game
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Hornets’ owner Michael Jordan, a 14-time NBA All-Star, is pushing to bring the big game back to Charlotte.
The Hornets, in conjunction with the Charlotte Sports Foundation, announced plans Tuesday to submit a bid to host the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2017 or 2018.
Charlotte hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 1991 at the suburban Charlotte Coliseum, which since has been demolished.
George should recover in full, but how long will it take?
INDIANAPOLIS – The Pacers expect Paul George to make a full recovery from the compound fracture in his right leg. They’re just not expecting that to happen this season.
What the Pacers don’t know yet, 11 days after George’s gruesome injury in a United States national team scrimmage, is precisely how long that will be. George underwent surgery Aug. 2 and returned to Indianapolis on Aug. 5.
Soccer
Hope Solo trial date set in sister’s assault case
KIRKLAND, Wash. – A Nov. 4 trial has been set for U.S. women’s goalkeeper Hope Solo, who is accused of assaulting her sister and 17-year-old nephew in June.
Solo, who also plays with the Seattle Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League, appeared in court Monday in Kirkland, Washington.
In June, she pleaded not guilty to two counts of fourth-degree domestic violence.
Tennis
U.S. Open hands out eight women’s wild cards
NEW YORK – Danielle Collins, Nicole Gibbs, Grace Min and Taylor Townsend were among the eight players receiving wild-card invitations for the U.S. Open women’s draw.
Other wild-card entries announced Tuesday by the U.S. Tennis Association were CiCi Bellis, Madison Brengle, Jarmila Gajdosova and Amandine Hesse.
The U.S. Open, the year’s final Grand Slam tournament, will start Aug. 25.
Israel and Ukraine lose their Davis Cup hosting duties
LONDON – The International Tennis Federation ruled Tuesday that Davis Cup matches will be moved out of Israel and Ukraine because of security issues in both countries.
The ITF board of directors rejected an appeal by the Israel Tennis Association against last week’s decision to switch the Sept. 12-14 World Group playoff against Argentina to a neutral venue because of the conflict in Gaza. The match had been scheduled to be played in Tel Aviv.
The board also upheld an appeal by Belgium against the decision to play its World Group playoff against Ukraine, also on Sept. 12-14, in Kiev.
Associated Press
