Steve Ballmer has officially completed his purchase of the Los Angeles Clippers from the Sterling Family, a process which began in the wake of Donald Sterling’s life ban for making racist remarks.
Ballmer, a billionaire businessman who made his fortune as CEO of Microsoft, has paid a reported $2 billion (Dh7.3bn) fee for the team.
An NBA statement said: “The transaction in which Steve Ballmer purchased the Los Angeles Clippers closed today following the entry of an order by a California court confirming the authority of Shelly Sterling, on behalf of the Sterling Family Trust, to sell the team. The NBA Board of Governors previously approved the sale and Ballmer is now the Clippers Governor.”
The sale obliterates the previous high for an NBA franchise – the $550million (Dh2bn) sale of the Milwaukee Bucks in April. It is only slightly less than the biggest ever sale involving an American sports team – the 2012 $2.1bn (Dh7.7bn) sale of baseball team the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In late July, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas ruled that Sterling’s wife Shelly had the authority to sell the NBA franchise.
Donald Sterling had attempted to block the sale, claiming that any transaction would need his approval. But Judge Levanas put paid to his attempts to prevent the sale to Ballmer going ahead when he sided with his estranged wife.
Donald was given a life ban by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, as well as a $2.5million (Dh9.1m) fine, after a tape emerged of him making derogatory remarks about African- Americans in April.
Clippers head coach Doc Rivers is now focusing on winning titles. “This is an amazing new day in Clippers history,” Rivers said. “I couldn’t be more excited to work together with Steve as we continue to build a first-class, championship organisation.”
