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Clippers Interim CEO: Doc Rivers Will Quit If Donald Sterling Keeps Team

Donald Sterling’s battle for control of the Los Angeles Clippers could cost the team its championship winning head coach. The franchise’s interim CEO Richard Parsons testified at Donald Sterling’s trial against his wife Shelly Sterling that Doc Rivers does not want to remain the Clippers coach if Donald remains in charge of the team.

“Doc is troubled by this maybe more so than anybody else,” said Parsons. “If Mr. Sterling continues as owner, he does not want to continue as coach.”

The loss of Rivers could cause a “death spiral” for the team added the former Time Warner and Citigroup executive. Parsons also stated Donald Sterling continuing as the owner may lead to players, sponsors, and fans abandoning the L.A. sports team.

Rivers took over the Clippers coaching job in 2013. In his first season at the helm, he led the team to a franchise best 57 wins. Rivers previously coached the Boston Celtics to the NBA title in 2008.

Donald Sterling is fighting the sale of the Clippers to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. The 80-year-old businessman claims his wife did not have the authority to make the deal and she mislead him about mental tests that were used to determine his capability to run the organization.