Richard Parsons, current CEO interim for the Clippers, is confident that in a matter of time Donald Sterling will no longer own the Clippers.
According to the Huffington Post, Sterling has voiced his refusal to sell the team he's owned since 1981, but Parsons is confident that a sale is on the horizon.
"My personal belief is the league will prevail, which means there will be an ownership change," Parsons said. "A prolonged legal battle is in no one's interest, certainly not the league's. I would hope we could avoid that."
Because of the NBA's ban on Sterling, Parsons isn't able to talk to him about selling the team, but did question his apology for his racist comments.
"He's a little late, to be sure," Parsons said. "I'm here to turn one of the burners off under the pot, not to turn it up higher."
Parsons says that he plans to talk to Sterling's estranged wife Shelly about her ownership with the Clippers. Shelly has voiced in her interview with Barbara Walters that she isn't selling her share of the company.
The former head of Citigroup and Time Warner is hoping that the team continues its positive attitude in light of the controversy and hopes that the business side does the same.
"A lot of these folks have felt beleaguered, beyond disappointed with the way the franchise has been characterized," said Parsons, who wore a Clippers lapel pin on his suit. "Part of my job will be to tell the folks here to stay focused on the business. Ultimately, there will be a change of ownership and management."
The Clippers are currently behind as OKC took the 3-2 lead in the playoffs last night.
Source: huffingtonpost.com
