Silver on Clippers’ sale

LAS VEGAS—NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he is hopeful that the proposed $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers will be completed before next season begins. But he could not guarantee that will happen because the deal is currently held up in the courts.

Silver spoke Tuesday evening after a meeting of the NBA’s Board of Governors. He says he cannot guarantee Donald Sterling will be out as owner of the Clippers because he is fighting the sale.

“It’s very difficult to say anything with certainty in a situation like this,” Silver said. “I can say with certainty we are doing everything in our power to move Donald out as an owner in the NBA.”

Sterling, who was banned by the NBA for life for making racist remarks, is challenging his wife Shelly’s planned sale of the Clippers for $2 billion to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in court.