LA Clippers sold to ex-Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer

[webfact]

LA Clippers sold to ex-Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer

LOS ANGELES: -- Former Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer has purchased the Los Angeles Clippers for $2bn (1.2bn) after a court cleared the way for the sale.

A Los Angeles judge confirmed Shelly Sterling could sell the basketball franchise over the objections of her estranged husband Donald Sterling.

Mr Sterling, the owner since 1981, was banned from the sport for life after he was recorded making racist remarks.

The $2bn sale price is the highest ever paid for an NBA team.

"Really excited - in a pretty hardcore way to continue the path to making the Clippers a better and better basketball team, and a better and better citizen of the Los Angeles community," said Mr Ballmer.

Mr Ballmer moved quickly after the Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas signed the order authorising the sale even if Donald Sterling's lawyers filed an appeal.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-28765780

[bbc]2014-08-13[/bbc]

[spidermike007]

This is an exciting moment for Los Angeles, for the Clippers, and really for all of humanity. LOL. But, anytime an owner the likes of Donald Sterling, is removed, as the owner of a major sports franchise, the planet benefits. Ballmer will be a good owner, hopefully. He has the deep pockets to really build the franchise. 

 

 

Under Ballmer's tenure as CEO, Microsoft's annual revenue surged from $25 billion to $70 billion, while its net income increased 215 percent to $23 billion, and its gross profit of 75 cents on every dollar in sales is double that of Google or International Business Machines Corp. So, he has enjoyed some success in the world of business. LOL.

 

However, one thing that is very alarming is his extreme lack of philanthropy. Considering his net worth, he donates less than 0.14 percent of his net worth annually. He is certainly no Ted Turner, Warren Buffett, or George Soros. Hopefully, he can get the Grinch out of his system, and start giving something back to society, of which he has taken a lot.