Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer closed on his acquisition of the Los Angeles Clippers Tuesday from The Sterling Family Trust.
The NBA Board of Governors previously approved the $2 billion sale, but a California court had to rule on whether Shelly Sterling had properly removed her husband Donald Sterling as co-trustee of the Trust and that the sale could be completed. Followingd an eight-day trial in July, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas ruled that Sterling’s removal from the trust was proper clearing the way for the sale.
“I am humbled and honored to be the new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers,” Ballmer said in a statement issued by the team. “Clipper fans are so amazing. They have remained fiercely loyal to our franchise through some extraordinary times. I will be hard core in giving the team, our great coach, staff and players the support they need to do their best work on the court. And we will do whatever necessary to provide our fans and their families with the best game-night experience in the NBA.”
Balmer will appear before fans as the team’s offical owner for the first time at the Staples Center Fan Festival on Monday, Aug. 18 at 12:30 pm PT.
