( CNN ) -- After weeks in limbo , the Los Angeles Clippers could shift hands from an embattled billionaire octogenarian to a former Microsoft CEO . But unlike owner Donald Sterling , whose racist remarks hurled him into a vortex of public criticism , Steve Ballmer flew under the radar in recent months before he laid down a record $ 2 billion offer for the team . Here are nine things to know about the man who could become the Clippers ' next owner : . He 's wealthier than Sterling . A lot wealthier . Ballmer , 58 , is worth $ 20 billion , according to Forbes magazine . Forbes put Sterling 's wealth at $ 2 billion . Ballmer succeeded his buddy Bill Gates as Microsoft CEO . He took the reins in 2000 from Gates , whom he became friends with at Harvard University in the 1970s . Ballmer earned a degree in mathematics and economics . Gates , of course , did n't graduate . But he seemed to do OK without a degree . Ballmer 's years leading Microsoft were sometimes turbulent ... When Ballmer took over as CEO , Microsoft was the most valuable company in the world . But the company went on to lose more than half of its market value over the course of a decade . Investors have been critical of Ballmer for failing to anticipate the mobile computing revolution . ... but there were also great times . During Ballmer 's tenure , Windows 7 was the fastest-selling operating system of all time , and Microsoft 's cloud and enterprise businesses have stayed strong over the past decade . According to Microsoft , the company tripled its revenue and doubled profits under Ballmer 's leadership . He retired in February and has been spotted at Clippers games since . He 's really animated . Just watch how he takes the stage for a corporate presentation . `` Come on ! Get up ! '' Ballmer screamed at one gathering as he danced and leaped across the floor . `` Whoooooo ! Come on ! Give it up for me ! '' By the time he took the podium , he barely had enough breath to say , `` I love this company ! '' So much so that he 's ripped his vocal cords . Perhaps it 's not surprising , then , that Ballmer has damaged his voice during his public displays of affection ( for Microsoft ) . According to The New York Times , Ballmer once shouted `` Windows ! Windows ! '' so furiously at a sales meeting in Japan that he ripped his vocal cords , requiring surgery . He 's from Motown but has a soft spot for LA . Ballmer 's dad , Fred Ballmer , was a manager at Ford Motor Co. in Detroit . The son excelled academically there and became valedictorian of his high school class . But he has reason to cheer for the Clippers . `` I love basketball . And I intend to do everything in my power to ensure that the Clippers continue to win -- and win big -- in Los Angeles , '' Ballmer said in a statement after making his offer . `` LA is one of the world 's great cities -- a city that embraces inclusiveness , in exactly the same way that the NBA and I embrace inclusiveness . '' Ballmer was n't the only bigwig eyeing the Clippers . A group that included media moguls David Geffen and Oprah Winfrey also made a bid of $ 1.6 billion for the Clippers , a source told CNN . This is n't his first time trying to buy an NBA team . Ballmer 's purchase of the Clippers would still have to be approved by 75 % of the NBA 's 30 owners . Last year , the owners denied the sale of the Sacramento Kings to a group that included Ballmer . That sale would have resulted in the Kings moving to Seattle , and the league 's relocation committee recommended keeping the team in Sacramento . But with all the talk about changing ownership of the Clippers , Ballmer 's fate this time may turn out differently . Sources : Donald Sterling found to be mentally incapacitated . CNN 's Brian Todd and CNNMoney 's David Goldman and contributed to this report .
Ballmer was known for screaming and dancing at Microsoft meetings . He signed a binding agreement to buy the Los Angeles Clippers for $ 2 billion . His estimated worth is $ 20 billion , compared with Donald Sterling 's $ 2 billion . Ballmer became friends with Bill Gates at Harvard , succeeded him as Microsoft CEO .