A judge ruled Monday that Donald Sterling's estranged wife didn't defraud him when she struck a deal to sell the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, saying she was within her rights to seek a mental evaluation that allowed the $2 billion sale to go forward.
"I just tried to do the best thing for our family and for everybody else," an elated Shelly Sterling told NBC News outside the courthouse. "It's been very tough ... and [Donald] and I do have love for each other and I hope it will all work out between us and everything will be good."
Shelly Sterling, who has been married to Donald for nearly 58 years, said she thinks her husband "will be happy," even though the judge gave her a sweeping victory, including taking the unusual step of ordering that the sale be allowed to be completed regardless of an appellate court’s intervention.
Although the judge issued a tentative oral order on Monday, all parties expect him to confirm it in writing by Aug. 13.
"We are pleased that the court has affirmed Shelly Sterling's right to sell the Los Angeles Clippers to Steve Ballmer," the NBA said in a statement. "We look forward to the transaction closing as soon as possible."
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