Another shocking development in the Los Angeles Clippers/Donald Sterling saga tonight. ESPN is reporting there is now an agreement between the Sterling Family Trust and billionaire businessman Steve Ballmer. The former CEO of Microsoft apparently has won the bidding war for the Clippers with an offer of $2 billion. Yes, that’s billion with a “b”. Ballmer is worth at least $20 billion, according to Forbes.
Also other media, including the L.A. Times, are saying Ballmer has come out on top in the fight for the NBA team. The deal was negotiated by Donald Sterling’s wife, Shelly Sterling and her team. Last Friday, it came out that Donald Sterling had agreed to let his wife sell the Clippers. On Tuesday, Sterling appeared to flip-flop on that agreement by issuing a 32-page statement claiming the NBA actions against him are unfair and illegal and he will fight to keep the franchise.
Some reports say Sterling’s approval is not needed to close the deal with Ballmer, others say he has to be on board for the deal to fly. Meanwhile, the Sterling are facing a Tuesday, June 3 deadline. The NBA owners will hold a special meeting on that date and many believe the outcome will be the league taking control of the Clippers.
Magic Johnson, who was involved in the bidding for the Clippers, sent out several tweets praising Ballmer and the deal this evening. Here is one those tweets.
Steve Ballmer owning the Clippers is a big win for the City of LA and all the people who live in the City of Angels!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 30, 2014
