Sterling strikes out in first big Clippers court battle

LOS ANGELES – Embattled Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling lost his attempt to block the $2 billion sale of the team to former Microsoft president Steve Ballmer.

In allowing the deal to go forward, Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas sided Monday with Sterling’s estranged wife, Shelly Sterling, who negotiated the record sale after the NBA banned the 80-year-old billionaire for making offensive remarks about blacks.

Shelly Sterling sought the probate judge’s approval to ink the deal after taking away her husband’s control of the family trust that owned the team because doctors found he had signs of Alzheimer’s disease and couldn’t manage his affairs.

An unusual provision of the ruling bars Donald Sterling from seeking a court-ordered delay of the sale as he appeals. His lawyers plan to seek permission from an appellate court to file an appeal.

Rose blooms during opening day of U.S. team practice

LAS VEGAS – Derrick Rose’s rigorous play Monday during the U.S. basketball team’s first practice proved he finally may be healthy.

Rose, the Chicago Bulls star who is coming off two knee injuries that kept him out for much of the last two seasons, played roughly nine minutes of the team’s scrimmage during a two-hour practice.

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski was elated with Rose’s play, saying he was most impressed with his defensive pressure and energy.

Rose played just 10 games last season before his season was ended by a torn meniscus in his right knee.

NFL

Manning free of inhibitions during a stretching session

ENGLEWOOD – Peyton Manning isn’t all business all the time. The star quarterback showed his lighter side Monday when he did a dorky dance during the team stretch when “Rocky Top” was blared through the loudspeakers at the Denver Broncos’ training camp.

While Manning was dancing to the unofficial anthem of his Tennessee Volunteers, fellow alum Britton Colquitt joined in, and Wes Welker even added a hoedown.

Former Broncos offensive lineman giving back to Utes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Jaguars guard Zane Beadles, who signed a five-year, $30 million free-agent contract in March, is giving back to his alma mater.

Beadles pledged $750,000 to Utah’s football program Monday, the largest gift given to the school by a former player.

A second-round draft pick by Denver in 2010, Beadles got $13 million guaranteed to leave the AFC champion Broncos.

Olympics

Dirty water a big concern for many of world’s best sailors

RIO DE JANEIRO – Sailors are gathering for the first test event of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, concerned about water pollution in Guanabara Bay that some liken to a sewer.

Rio dumps almost 70 percent of its untreated sewage into surrounding waters, which fouls the bay with human waste and floating debris. A fleet of special rubbish boats has been working the bay for months, and organizers are allowing teams to test the water, hoping to allay health concerns.

Soccer

Tax fraud case against Messi still just won’t fade away

MADRID – A Spanish judge has rejected a prosecutor’s request to drop charges of tax fraud against Lionel Messi and ordered the investigation into three cases of suspected unpaid taxes to proceed.

A court statement says there is “sufficient evidence” to believe the Argentina player “could have known and consented” to the creation of a fictitious corporate structure to avoid paying taxes on income made from Messi’s image rights.

Associated Press