Owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, Donald Sterling, has handed over control of the team to estranged wife, Shelly.

Currently, Shelly holds 50% ownership of the team and is reportedly in talks with the NBA to negotiate its sale.

Sources say that Shelly intends to negotiate for retention of some of her rights to control the team. The NBA, however, is against it and has already taken measures to make sure that it doesn't happen.

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In a statement issued Friday, NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the league is moving forward with the decision to recommend the termination of Sterling's ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the NBA constitution. The hearing on this issue is scheduled for June 3.

According to reports, the decision to sell the team came after weeks of deliberation, following the release of an audio recording of Sterling's racist comments while talking to female friend, V. Stiviano.

In reaction to the publicized recording, which had angered fans and NBA players, league commissioner Adam Silver banned the Clippers owner from all its events and NBA-related activities for life. Sterling was also fined $2.5 million and was advised by the commissioner to sell ownership of the team.

A day after formal charges were filed against Sterling, Silver said that he was more open to the idea of Sterling selling the team based on a "reasonable timetable" rather than going through the entire process of forced termination of ownership.

Sterling was given until May 27 to respond to the charges.

Forbes reports that the authorization to sell the team was Sterling's way of saving face instead of being publicly stripped of his ownership over the Los Angeles Clippers. Although initial reports indicate that the Sterlings did not want to sell, insiders think that this move represents their acknowledgment that they won't be able to do so.

The Los Angeles Clippers was bought by Sterling in 1981 for about $13 million. At present, it is now valued to be worth at least $575 million.

TagsLos Angeles Clippers, LA Clippers, Adam Silver, Basketball League, Shelly Sterling, Racism, Stiviano, Sports news