Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer became the new owner of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, concluding a public saga in which the league expelled one of the prior co-owners for racist comments. The sale marks the end of co-ownership by billionaire Donald Sterling, who was ousted from the NBA and then battled his estranged wife, Shelly, in a California probate court over control of the couple's trust, which owned the franchise. Sterling, 80, lost that legal battle when the probate judge ruled the deal by Shelly Sterling to sell the Clippers to Ballmer could move forward. Sterling bought the Clippers in 1981 for about $12 million and was the longest-tenured owner in the NBA.
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Shelly Sterling's attorney says Donald Sterling shouldn't be able to contest sale
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Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers
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"I will be hard core" in supporting team, Ballmer says
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Sterling caused an uproar when he made racist remarks in an audio recording in April
Steve Ballmer
Ballmer
Steve Ballmer
Ballmer
"I am confident that @placeholder will bring the city a championship team in the very near future.
Steve Ballmer
Ballmer
Steve Ballmer
Ballmer
"The NBA Board of Governors previously approved the sale and @placeholder is now the Clippers Governor," the basketball league said.
Donald Sterling
Sterling
Sterling
Donald Sterling
Sterling
@placeholder and his attorneys couldn't be immediately reached for comment.
Donald Sterling
Sterling
Sterling
Donald Sterling
Sterling
But @placeholder later opposed a sale of the team, saying the purported letter authorized only a negotiation, not a formal sale.
Donald Sterling
Sterling
Sterling
Donald Sterling
Sterling
@placeholder has sued the league for $1 billion, claiming antitrust violations in its handling of the matter.