Capítulo 294: Chapter 294: Donald Sterling
After leaving the Peninsula Hotel, Arthur took Catherine Zeta-Jones to a club on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood; Leaning on the sofa, Arthur held Catherine Zeta-Jones while enjoying Snoop's energetic performance on stage.
"Americans really love rap," Catherine sighed, looking at the vibrant atmosphere below the stage.
Arthur kissed the lady in his arms, "This guy is a signed rapper with Death Row Records under Galaxy Records. He's about to release his first album.
These guys are all gang members, involved in fights, drug trafficking, and robberies. The guy on stage just got out of prison last year. Performing on stage is a way to promote himself!"
Catherine Zeta-Jones was shocked, "And you still sign them?"
Arthur was nonchalant, "It is not an issue. Even Will Smith, a rapper who won awards at the Grammys a few years ago, did time for tax evasion. After getting out, he's performing well on NBC's sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, transitioning from singer to TV actor!"
Catherine Zeta-Jones pondered, "Wasn't the Los Angeles riot last year severe enough?"
"Just alright, South Central Los Angeles and Compton have always been chaotic," Arthur said, suddenly spotting the person he was supposed to meet. He waved his hand, calling out, "Sterling!"
Donald Sterling noticed Arthur and walked over with his companion. "Arthur, it turns out you like this kind of performance!"
Arthur smiled and raised his drink, "Let's have a drink."
Donald Sterling knew why Arthur wanted to meet him - it was all about the Los Angeles Clippers. Sterling's real estate group was having some issues, with construction projects in South Central Los Angeles and Koreatown being out of reach.
Taking a sip of his drink, Donald Sterling looked at Arthur, helplessly asking, "Arthur, what do you need?"
Arthur first patted Catherine Zeta-Jones, "Wait for me a bit, I have some matters to deal with."
Arthur then led Donald Sterling to a room next door, lighting a cigarette by himself. Just as Donald Sterling was feeling puzzled, someone came in, whispered in Arthur's ear, and handed Arthur a file.
"Very good," Arthur smiled. After the person left the room, Arthur casually threw the file onto the chair in front of the sofa and sat down himself.
"Sterling, take a look. These shouldn't be unfamiliar to you," Arthur smiled.
Donald Sterling frowned, opened the file, and quickly widened his eyes, looking at Arthur in disbelief, "This is too much, isn't it?"
The file contained evidence of Donald Sterling's various infidelities over the years, along with reports of his racial discrimination remarks.
"I don't have time to waste. You know what these would mean if they landed in your wife Shelley Sterling's hands," Arthur said, suddenly thinking of something, looking at Donald Sterling, "Oh, almost forgot, Sterling, you are a divorce lawyer, right? This stuff is enough for your wife to take half your assets, plus child support. I heard your relationship with your wife is pretty bad?"
"A Hollywood mogul turning into a private detective, all for an NBA team?" Donald Sterling was incredulous.
Arthur shrugged, "If you weren't a pervert unwilling to sell, my people wouldn't have used your wife as a breakthrough point to find out all this. Abusing women, racial discrimination, you even insulted Magic Johnson. Very impressive.
This file also has recordings of you with your African American girlfriend. I mean, if you hate African Americans so much, why date one? If you do date, at least treat her well, give more benefits. You're a millionaire after all, but you're so stingy."
Arthur shook his head, "So, will you sell the Los Angeles Clippers to me, or should I expose this stuff, ruin your reputation, and continue the negotiation with your wife after you finish your divorce case?"
Donald Sterling's hands trembled. In ordinary hands, he might have a way out. But who was on the other side? A Hollywood billionaire!
Donald Sterling knew that once this stuff got exposed, he definitely couldn't keep the Los Angeles Clippers.
The recordings of him calling Magic Johnson an AIDS-infected nig*er and an un-evolved ape would undoubtedly cause a huge scandal.
"Arthur, I'll sell the Clippers to you. You must hand over all this material to me," Donald Sterling responded decisively.
Arthur snapped his fingers, "Don't worry, I'm not interested in this stuff. I'll have my lawyer contact you tomorrow."
Donald Sterling nodded, "But the price, I want a hundred million dollars!"
"Come on," Arthur looked incredulously at Donald Sterling, "Did you have brain surgery moving your mind to your ass? A hundred million dollars? You know the Lakers are just over two hundred million. The Clippers are a mess under your management, moving to share the Anaheim Arena with the Mighty Ducks. You bought the team only a few years ago. A tenfold increase?"
Donald Sterling turned red after Arthur's rant, "You previously said a hundred million, that price should be fine?"
Arthur gave him a condescending look, "That was the price before. Now you've even signed the Anaheim Honda Center contract. The new price is $85 million, that's the highest my team would offer."
"Too low, it has to be at least a hundred million!" Donald Sterling frowned.
Arthur stared at Donald Sterling, speaking flatly, "By tomorrow, the offer will only be $80 million, but you can refuse."
Donald Sterling looked at Arthur. Though extremely reluctant, he could only nod, "I need a confidentiality agreement. I will sell you the Clippers for $85 million!"
"Smart," Arthur smiled, patting his shoulder, "At $85 million, you're not at a loss. The NBA salary cap is only $15 million now. The Lakers rule Los Angeles, the Clippers can only follow. Growing the team requires big investments, which you can't handle.
Anyway, use these to deal with the ordinary people, pay some hush money. As for your wife, haven't you had her firmly under control for over thirty years? I'm sure you'll manage."
*****
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