“I'd get a lot more than two billion dollars for it” – Steve Ballmer is certain on not selling his billion-dollar LA Clippers anytime soon
Former Microsoft CEO and current LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has earned a reputation as one of the most outspoken owners in the league. In the midst of pursuing an MBA at Stanford in the early 1980s, Ballmer was hired by Microsoft. Over the years, he ascended the corporate ladder on his way to succeeding Bill Gates as CEO in 2000.
Nearly a decade later, Ballmer made the jump into professional sports.
In 2008, he and a group announced that they wanted to invest in keeping the Seattle SuperSonics in Washington. With $150 million ready and waiting to be spent on renovating KeyArena, all signs pointed to Ballmer and the group then purchasing the Seattle franchise. Unfortunately, things never came to fruition.
Four years later, Ballmer sought to bring the SuperSonics back to Seattle.
With a bold plan that included buying the Sacramento Kings and relocating them to Seattle, it seemed as though Steve Ballmer would finally acquire an NBA team. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be, and the Microsoft CEO was once again left in the dust.
Two years following his failed bid to buy the Kings, Ballmer acquired the LA Clippers for $2 billion from Donald Sterling. Although Sterling's sale of the team came as a surprise to no one following an incredibly public scandal, Ballmer's $2 billion bid was shocking.
At the time, it was the second costliest transaction for a professional sports team in the United States.
Now, nearly a decade later, Ballmer has cemented himself as a staple in NBA games. As one of the most outspoken and passionate owners in the league, many have wondered if he ever plans to part ways with the LA franchise. As he explained recently, he has no intentions of doing so:
"If you look at franchise values today. I'm pretty sure I'd get a lot more than two billion dollars for it. Not that I'm going to sell it, you know, I'm going to own this thing (Clippers) till I die and then my family can decide what to do."
The comments came on a recent episode of the "Point Forward" podcast. Over the course of the podcast, Ballmer touched on everything from his journey as a fan to an owner, as well as his plans for the future.
Clippers YOY value evaluation & Clippers projected value growth for next 5 years
This season, the Clippers have proven to be one of the most promising teams in the league. With the acquisition of John Wall and the return of Kawhi Leonard, many have projected that the team could win the Western Conference.
Of course, the LA Lakers are in the midst of a freefall with no end in sight. Given that, the team's valuation will likely continue to rise. Although the franchise has never won an NBA title, it's safe to say that the team's value will skyrocket should projections of a Western Conference finals appearance come true.