In this Nov. 12, 2010, file photo, Shelly Sterling, left, sits with her husband, Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, during the Clippers’ NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons in Los Angeles. The former team owner has filed for divorce from Shelly Sterling, his attorney Bobby Samini said Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
LOS ANGELES — Former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has filed for divorce from his wife of nearly 60 years on Wednesday as he continues to battle her over ownership of the team.
Sterling, 81, cited irreconcilable differences in paperwork submitted to the Los Angeles Superior Court, attorney Bobby Samini said. It lists their date of separation as Aug. 1, 2012.
Attorney Pierce O’Donnell said Shelly Sterling has no comment and had not yet seen any divorce petition.
The filing comes two weeks before the couple’s 60th anniversary and about four months after a judge ordered V. Stiviano — a woman who Shelly Sterling alleged was her husband’s mistress — to give up a $1.8 million house and luxury cars that Donald Sterling bought her and to pay Shelly Sterling about $800,000 that he had showered on the younger woman in cash.
The ruling came nearly a year after a recording of Donald Sterling telling Stiviano not to associate with black people led the NBA to ban him for life and fine him $2.5 million. The recording was leaked weeks after Shelly Sterling sued Stiviano, alleging she was her husband’s mistress.
While Shelly Sterling acknowledged marital problems, she said the couple had never separated even though she had divorce papers drawn up.
The couple testified at trial last month in Los Angeles Superior Court about their enduring love for each other, displaying cards they gave each other for anniversaries and birthdays.
Donald Sterling is suing his wife and the NBA in federal court over the $2 billion sale of the Clippers. She negotiated the deal with ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer after doctors found Donald Sterling incompetent to handle his business affairs.