Donald Sterling is a name that became infamous due to his controversial tenure as the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, a position that ultimately ended in disgrace after a public scandal in 2014. As an attorney and businessman, Sterling made a name for himself in the real estate industry before transitioning to professional sports ownership. However, his legacy is marred by allegations of racism and misconduct that brought about his ousting from the National Basketball Association (NBA) and left a lasting impact on both the sports world and his personal reputation. With his story marked by controversy, many are left wondering: “Is Donald Sterling still alive?” This article will explore Donald Sterling’s life, health, career, and the lasting impact of his actions on his legacy.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
A Humble Beginning in the Bronx
Donald T. Sterling was born Donald Tokowitz on April 26, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised in a working-class Jewish family and later moved to the Bronx, New York, where he grew up. Sterling’s early life was marked by modest means, but he was always driven to succeed. He attended the prestigious Temple University in Philadelphia, where he studied accounting before earning his law degree from the Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles.
After completing his education, Sterling began his career as an attorney in Los Angeles, working in real estate law. His legal expertise eventually led him to establish a successful real estate development and investment firm, which was the foundation for his wealth. By the early 1980s, Sterling had amassed a significant fortune through his ventures in real estate, becoming a notable figure in the business world.
Rise to Real Estate Success
Donald Sterling’s success in real estate was built upon his sharp business acumen and aggressive investment strategies. His company, Sterling Enterprises, focused on acquiring and managing apartment complexes, and he quickly became one of the largest property owners in Los Angeles. His investments allowed him to build a sprawling portfolio of properties across Southern California, generating millions in revenue.
However, his reputation in the real estate market was not without controversy. Sterling was known for his aggressive and sometimes unethical tactics, including accusations of discrimination in his rental practices. In the 2000s, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Sterling for discriminatory housing practices, particularly targeting African American and Latino tenants. The case, which was settled in 2009, shed light on his problematic approach to business and began to stain his reputation in the public eye.
The Los Angeles Clippers
Acquiring the Clippers
In 1981, Donald Sterling took a major step into the world of professional sports by purchasing the Los Angeles Clippers, a struggling NBA franchise, for $12.5 million. Under his ownership, the Clippers remained largely unsuccessful on the court, frequently ranking among the worst teams in the league. However, Sterling’s business acumen helped the franchise become financially viable, and he continued to profit from it despite the team’s lackluster performance.
Sterling’s time as owner was marked by instability and dysfunction. While the Clippers struggled in terms of team performance, Sterling focused more on the financial aspects of the franchise. Over the years, his management style and decisions regarding the team came under scrutiny, but he continued to hold onto the team, despite several periods of poor performance and coaching instability.
The Public Image and Scandals
While Sterling remained a prominent figure in the NBA, his ownership was consistently criticized for a number of reasons, including the poor performance of the Clippers and his perceived unwillingness to invest in the team’s success. However, his reputation took a dramatic turn in 2014 when audio recordings surfaced in which he made racist comments. These comments, which were made in private conversations with his then-girlfriend, V. Stiviano, were publicly released and ignited a firestorm of controversy.
In the recordings, Sterling made disparaging remarks about African Americans, expressing discomfort with them attending Clippers games and socializing with his girlfriend. The release of the audio led to widespread outrage, with fans, players, and other NBA owners demanding action. Sterling’s behavior was deemed incompatible with the NBA’s values, and the league launched an investigation into the matter.
The NBA’s Response and Ouster
The Fall from Grace
In response to the scandal, the NBA, under Commissioner Adam Silver, took swift action. In April 2014, the NBA banned Donald Sterling for life from any involvement in NBA activities, including attending games or practices, and fined him $2.5 million, the maximum allowable penalty. Additionally, the NBA moved to force Sterling to sell the Clippers, a decision that was supported by a majority of the league’s owners.
Sterling’s ousting from the NBA was unprecedented and marked the end of his reign as the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. The sale of the team was finalized in August 2014, when former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer purchased the Clippers for $2 billion, the highest price ever paid for an NBA team at the time. The sale effectively ended Sterling’s ownership, and he was stripped of his control over the team that he had owned for more than three decades.
Sterling’s expulsion from the NBA was a pivotal moment in sports history, signaling the league’s commitment to fighting racism and intolerance within its ranks. The scandal had a profound impact on Sterling’s legacy, permanently damaging his reputation and making him a symbol of bigotry and prejudice in the business world.
Is Donald Sterling Still Alive? Health and Current Status
Current Health Status
As of 2025, Donald Sterling is still alive. After being ousted from the NBA, he largely retreated from the public eye. Following the sale of the Clippers, Sterling has maintained a low profile and has not been involved in any major business ventures or public appearances. His health has been a topic of occasional speculation, but there have been no major reports regarding his current medical condition.
While his public appearances have been rare in recent years, there have been some reports that he has been dealing with age-related health issues. However, Sterling has not made any public statements regarding his health, and his private life remains largely out of the public eye. At the age of 91, it is unclear how much longer he will remain a prominent figure in the public sphere.
Public Image and Legacy
Donald Sterling’s legacy is permanently marred by the racist comments that led to his ousting from the NBA. Before the scandal, he had been a controversial figure due to his business practices, but it was his racist remarks that permanently tarnished his reputation. Sterling’s actions not only led to his removal from the NBA but also sparked broader conversations about race, power, and privilege within professional sports.
Despite his history in business and professional sports, Sterling’s legacy is one of controversy and disgrace. His time as the owner of the Clippers will be remembered not for any on-court successes but for the scandal that led to his expulsion from the NBA and his subsequent downfall. The Clippers, under new ownership, have since enjoyed greater success, including a revitalized team that made deep playoff runs, distancing the franchise from Sterling’s tarnished legacy.
Donald Sterling’s Legacy and the Impact of the Scandal
A Legacy of Controversy
The controversy surrounding Donald Sterling’s racist remarks and his ousting from the NBA is a defining moment in his legacy. While Sterling built a fortune through his real estate ventures, his tenure as owner of the Los Angeles Clippers will forever be associated with the scandal that ended his career in professional sports. Sterling’s actions serve as a cautionary tale about the importance of accountability, diversity, and inclusion, particularly in spaces as visible and influential as professional sports.
His story highlights the intersection of wealth, power, and racism, and the lasting damage that bigoted behavior can inflict on both individuals and institutions. Sterling’s ousting from the NBA is a reminder of the league’s commitment to fighting racism and intolerance and demonstrates how public pressure can lead to meaningful change in corporate and sports leadership.
The Clippers’ Rebirth
In the wake of Sterling’s departure, the Los Angeles Clippers were able to rebuild their brand and reputation under new ownership. Steve Ballmer’s purchase of the team and his subsequent investment in the franchise helped transform the Clippers into a more competitive and respected organization. Ballmer’s leadership has led to a resurgence in the team’s performance, and the Clippers have become a legitimate contender in the NBA.
While Sterling’s departure was a difficult chapter in the history of the Clippers, the team’s recovery is a testament to the resilience of the players, staff, and fans who supported the organization through this challenging period. The Clippers’ rise in prominence since Sterling’s exit has allowed the franchise to distance itself from the scandal and focus on achieving success on the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Donald Sterling still alive?
Yes, Donald Sterling is still alive as of 2025. Although he has largely retreated from public life, there have been no reports indicating his death.
2. What is Donald Sterling known for?
Donald Sterling is best known for being the former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. His reputation was permanently damaged by a scandal in 2014, in which racist comments he made were exposed, leading to his ousting from the NBA.
3. What happened to Donald Sterling after he was ousted from the NBA?
After being banned for life from the NBA and forced to sell the Clippers in 2014, Donald Sterling largely faded from the public spotlight. His controversial actions led to the team’s sale to Steve Ballmer, and Sterling’s legacy became tainted by the scandal.
4. What is Donald Sterling’s legacy?
Donald Sterling’s legacy is defined by his controversial comments and his removal from the NBA. While he was successful in real estate and as a businessman, his actions in the public eye forever changed how he is perceived, and his tenure as Clippers owner will always be associated with scandal and disgrace.
5. What impact did the Sterling scandal have on the NBA?
The Sterling scandal prompted the NBA to take swift action to expel him from the league, marking a pivotal moment in the league’s commitment to fighting racism. It also led to greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion within the NBA and professional sports.
Conclusion
Donald Sterling’s life and career serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of bigotry and intolerance, particularly in positions of power. While his legacy as a businessman and real estate mogul is notable, it will forever be overshadowed by his racist remarks and his forced departure from the NBA. As of 2025, Sterling is still alive, but his impact on the world of sports is largely defined by the scandal that ended his tenure as the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. His story is a reminder of the importance of accountability and the need for change in both the sports world and society at large.