Report: Ballmer meets with Clips owner Shelly Sterling
May 25, 2014, 4:49 PM | Updated: 4:56 pm
By Brent Stecker
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is reportedly back in play to acquire an NBA franchise.
Ballmer was set to meet with Clippers owner Shelly Sterling at her Los Angeles residence Sunday afternoon to discuss buying the team, TMZ reports.
Ballmer has teamed with hedge fund manager Chris Hansen in multiple endeavors to bring the NBA back to Seattle since 2012, including a near-miss attempt to buy the Sacramento Kings last year. Ballmer has publicly stated that he would keep the Clippers in L.A. if he were to purchase the franchise, however.
Sterling recently assumed control of the Clippers from her estranged husband Donald Sterling, who was banned by the NBA for life after a firestorm of controversy erupted around recorded racist comments were released last month.
The Sterlings have reportedly agreed to voluntarily sell the Clippers, but the NBA owners are proceeding to a June 3 hearing to vote on forcing a sale. To terminate the Sterlings’ franchise rights and force a sale, a three-fourths majority vote of NBA owners is required.