According to TMZ Donald Sterling has ceded control of the Los Angeles Clippers to his estranged wife. Furthermore Shelly Sterling is secretly negotiating with the NBA to sell the team -- but on her terms. The report adds that Donald Sterling decided to cede control because he saw the handwriting on the wall and was trying to avoid ordering an involuntary sale of the team.
Our sources say Shelly and her lawyer, Pierce O'Donnell, have been secretly meeting with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA lawyers to "resolve the dispute amicably." We're told Shelly realizes the NBA wants the team sold, but she has significantly more leverage and credibility with the league than Donald. Her end game is simple -- she won't object to the sale, but SHE wants to call the shots.
Mrs. Sterling is threatening to sue the NBA and will file legal docs on Tuesday if as expected the league orders an involuntary sale that the league would control. She has agreed to selling the team but only if she is in control of the sale, not the league.
Bill Simmons of ESPN added to the story via twitter: