Donald Sterling 's 33-year tenure as the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers was marked not only by an immense lack of success — they made the NBA Playoffs only seven times during that period — but also by controversy.
From disputes regarding the compensation of African-American players, which made the job of former vice president of basketball operations Elgin Baylor difficult, to making comments and decisions viewed as questionable and sometimes racist, Sterling's actions were considered problematic by many within the basketball community.
One particularly shocking incident occurred when Baylor claimed that Clippers players once complained to him about the awkward nature of Sterling bringing women into the locker room. In a statement given during his wrongful termination lawsuit against Sterling in 2009, Baylor revealed that players were uncomfortable with Sterling's behavior and asked him to bring it to the eccentric owner's attention.
NBA players consider the locker room a safe haven, a place where they can let their guard down and gain some ease from the pressures of the profession. However, for players on the Clippers during Sterling's tenure, this was not always the case.
According to Baylor, who served as a Clippers executive for more than two decades and was named the NBA Executive of the Year in 2006, several players approached him and expressed discomfort with Sterling's presence in the locker room.
"Players Sam Cassell, Elton Brand and Corey Maggette complained to me that DONALD STERLING would bring women into the locker room after games, while the players were showering," Baylor's statement read . "And make comments such as, 'Look at those beautiful black bodies.' I brought this to Sterling's attention, but he continued to bring women into the locker room."
That incident wasn't the first time that players felt more like objects than human beings under Sterling's ownership. Former All-Star DeAndre Jordan , a key cog in the electric "Lob City" Clippers alongside Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, shared how Sterling's annual "All-White" party at his sprawling mansion in Malibu felt off for the players.
The high-flying 6'11" center recalled how Sterling paraded them and showed them off to friends and business partners like they were trophies.
"What it felt like was almost a showcase," Jordan claimed.
Blake, in particular, was a favorite of Sterling. Standing 6'9", he was the epitome of the modern-day NBA superstar. Sterling often boasted about his star player's looks and physique.
"That's what it felt like. I felt super awkward for a guy like Blake, who we had just drafted number one," DeAndre continued. "He was kind of like he was escorting Blake around the party, introducing him like, 'Oh, meet him. Isn't he tall and handsome? Look at his muscles.'"
Sterling's time as an owner concluded in 2014 when he was banned for life following the release of recorded racist comments to his female companion.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jan 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
