Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is finally about to become an NBA owner.
The Los Angeles Times reported that former Ballmer won the bidding war for Los Angeles Clippers ownership with a $2 billion offer.
Ballmer’s bid beat out competitors such as entertainment mogul David Geffen and executives from the Guggenheim Group, the Chicago-based owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The sale by Shelly Sterling, the wife of ousted owner Donald Sterling, comes five days before the NBA hearing to officially strip the Sterlings of their ownership.
Sources for ESPN reported that the deal does not need Donald Sterling’s approval of his wife’s sale of the team, as had been originally assumed, but it will require the approval from the other 29 NBA owners.
The approval from the other owners is expected to be unanimous as long as he agrees to keep the team in L.A. Ballmer tried to purchase the Sacramento Kings last year but was rejected because he planned to move the team to Seattle. Ballmer has said that he does not have the same intentions for the Clippers.
The $2 billion purchase is the highest in NBA history, and the second-highest in sports, following the $2.1 billion sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Photo via Twitter/@BleacherReport
