It’s all over. The Los Angeles Clippers and the NBA today announced that former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s is now the proud owner of the team. In other words the purchase of the Clippers is a done deal. This comes following the decision of a California court confirming the authority of Shelly Sterling to sell the team. The former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer paid $2 billion for the team. That is the highest price anyone has ever paid for a franchise in NBA history. However, that is pocket change for Steve Ballmer. The TMZ leaked tapes Donald Sterling making racist remarks sparked the demand he sell the team. We all want to know now that Ballmer owns the team, how long before the team gets a new place to call home? One hopes he pulls a Mark Cuban and creates a place people want to come play. So far the current roster of players seem to support him. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have publicly shown their support for Steve Ballmer.
I am humbled and honored to be the new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. Clipper fans are so amazing. They have remained fiercely loyal to our franchise through some extraordinary times. I will be hard core in giving the team, our great coach, staff and players the support they need to do their best work on the court. And we will do whatever necessary to provide our fans and their families with the best game-night experience in the NBA. I look forward to meeting our fans at our STAPLES Center Fan Festival on Monday, Aug. 18 at 12:30 pm PT. ~Mr. Ballmer
This is an amazing new day in Clippers history. I couldn’t be more excited to work together with Steve as we continue to build a first-class, championship organization. I am already inspired by Steve’s passion for the game, his love of competition and desire to win the right way and I know our players and fans are going to be inspired as well. ~ Doc Rivers