Donald Sterling’s ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers came to an end Tuesday when Steve Ballmer, the billlionaire former CEO of Microsoft, closed on a $2 billion purchase of the team.
The NBA confirmed the transaction in a short statement. The league said that the deal had closed after a California court confirmed the authority of Sterling’s wife, Shelly, to sell the team on behalf of a family trust. Sterling was recorded in April telling an ex-girlfriend not to bring black people to Clippers games. The NBA forced the sale of the team. Ballmer said in a statement: “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.”
IN-DEPTH
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