The NBA has announced that Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is officially the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers after a long battle with former owner Donald Sterling.
Ballmer spoke to the Los Angeles Times about the sale and said that he is thrilled to be the newest owner of the Clippers.
"I've got big dreams for the team," he told the Times. "I'd love to win a championship. I'd love the Clippers to be the most dynamic, vibrant team and name in professional sports.
"The only way any of this makes sense -- my desire to spend time in Los Angeles, this team, its aspirations, this community, this purchase price, any of that -- is to really live out the dream and make this kind of America's team."
Ballmer purchased the team from the Sterling family for a record $2 billion and has been officially been announced as the Clippers newest owner. The NBA released a short statement welcoming Ballmer to the league.
The Clippers are now owned by an owner that isn't seen as a public menace, but rather a shining example of what an owner should be. The sale of the Clippers likely ends any talk of the players and coaches of the team boycotting the 2014-15 season as they previously threatened.
The potential boycott would had been a nightmare for both the franchise and the NBA as players such as Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan as well as coach Doc Rivers would be standing against the league. Now that Ballmer is safely established as the Clippers owner, the team can point focus for what should be a promising 2014-15 campaign.
The Clippers won the Pacific Division last season at 57-25, but were eliminated in six games by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs.
[ESPN]
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