Ballmer officially takes control of LA Clippers

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer officially became the new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday in an estimated US$2 billion (N$21.3 billion) deal after months of legal wrangling, the National Basketball Association (NBA) said. Ballmer said he was "humbled and honoured" after the transaction was sealed when a California court order went into effect confirming that Shelly Sterling had the authority to sell the team. The team went on the block after the NBA slapped a life ban on her estranged husband and its owner, Donald Sterling, who bought the club in 1981. The action was in response to a video aired on celebrity website TMZ that showed Donald Sterling criticising his girlfriend for having her picture taken with black people. In the storm that followed, the 80-year-old billionaire initially agreed to the sale of the team, but then abruptly withdrew his support. His wife Shelly, however, moved to sell the Clippers as a trustee of the family trust that owned the team after Sterling had been declared mentally incapacitated. The NBA Board of Governors had previously approved the sale and Ballmer now takes on the title of Clippers Governor. Ballmer thanked Clippers fans for remaining "fiercely loyal to our franchise through some extraordinary times." "I will be hardcore in giving the team, our great coach, staff and players the support they need to do their best work on the court," he said. "And we will do whatever necessary to provide our fans and their families with the best game-night experience in the NBA." Ballmer is expected to travel to California later this week and have dinner with head coach Doc Rivers and the players, then meet with Clippers employees and fans at an event next Monday. Rivers said they can now focus on winning a first title. "This is an amazing new day in Clippers history," Rivers said. "I couldn't be more excited to work together with Steve as we continue to build a first-class, championship organisation." LOS ANGELES-NAMPA/AFP