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Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer bids $2 billion for Clippers

May 29, 2014

(CNS) – A furious round of bidding for the Los Angeles Clippers apparently ended today, with news that former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer offered a record $2 billion for the NBA franchise.

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is one step closer to becoming the new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. (AP)

The Los Angeles Times, citing an anonymous source familiar with the negotiations, reported on its website that Ballmer topped a $1.6 billion bid from a group that included entertainment mogul David Geffen and a $1.2 billion
bid from investors Tony Ressler and Steve Karsh.

Bidding for the team reached a fever pitch Wednesday, with team co-owner Shelly Sterling collecting offers on the team that her husband, Donald, bought more than three decades ago for $12.5 million.

The reported $2 billion offer for the Clippers far surpasses the previous record for an NBA team – $550 million paid this month for the Milwaukee Bucks.

The proposed Clippers sale still faces a number of hurdles. Donald Sterling, who was banned for life from the NBA and fined $2.5 million over racially insensitive comments he made in a recorded conversation, has indicated in papers filed with the NBA that he plans to fight a league effort to force him out as owner.

The NBA’s Board of Governors is scheduled to meet Tuesday to vote on whether to expel Sterling as an owner. A two-thirds vote of the league’s owners is required to oust Sterling.

The NBA would also have to approve any sale of the Clippers. Ballmer, 58, was part of a group that last year tried to purchase the Sacramento Kings and move the team to Seattle. The NBA, however, balked at moving the franchise.

According to The Times, Ballmer said in a recent interview that he had no intention of trying to move the Clippers out of Los Angeles.

Donald Sterling, 80, has been under fire since recorded conversations of him disparaging companion V. Stiviano for having her picture taken with black people, including Magic Johnson, were made public. Sterling also told her on
the recording not to bring black people to Clippers games.

In his response filed with the league earlier this week, Sterling contended that he was recorded illegally while making emotional remarks during a “lovers’ quarrel.”

Although no official announcement about the proposed sale has been made, Mayor Eric Garcetti said he and all Los Angeles basketball fans look forward to “putting the past behind us and looking forward to a new and winning era
for the Clippers.”

“I congratulate Steve Ballmer and look forward to working with him and the Clippers to make a positive impact on our city,” Garcetti said.