For years, Inglewood looked like the ultimate sports-and-politics success story. A city of roughly 100,000 people, historically Black and Latino, suddenly found itself at the center of the global sports universe. Stan Kroenke built SoFi Stadium and the massive Hollywood Park development. Steve Ballmer brought the Clippers, built Intuit Dome and added the Kia Forum to his Inglewood empire. The city fast-tracked the projects, betting that billions in private investment would transform Inglewood.

That honeymoon is over. What began as a partnership between a city and some of the richest men in America has deteriorated into lawsuits, ballot initiatives and a fight over something fundamental: Who controls the economic future of this region?

Kroenke is suing Inglewood for nearly $400 million, claiming the city failed to honor obligations tied to Hollywood Park and SoFi Stadium. His companies have also sued over the city’s agreement with WOW Media, which installed and operates digital billboards on public property. Businesses connected to Ballmer’s Intuit Dome and Kia Forum have filed similar lawsuits.

These men are no strangers to legal trouble. Ballmer and his top executives were banned from the NBA for a full year, and the Clippers were fined $30 million........

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