Steve Ballmer Now Owns the Clippers

Clippers Ballmer
After weeks of speculation, and general hubbub, the NBA‘s Los Angeles Clippers are no longer owned by Donald Sterling.

Former Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer‘s bid to purchase the team closed on Tuesday after a California court confirmed that Shelly Sterling, Sterling’s wife, had the authority to sell the team on behalf of the Sterling Family Trust.

Ballmer bid a surprising $2 billion for the team back in May.

Ballmer released a statement which said, “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.”

Ballmer was screened by the NBA Board of Governors last month, who took a vote last week and approved him as a league owner. The closure of this deal comes in the wake of weeks of legal fighting between Shelly and Donald Sterling, the latter of whom the NBA banned due to racist remarks he made. Donald Sterling is expected to appeal the sale, but it’s doubtful that he’ll be successful in reversing things.

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ESPN writes of things further here.