Shelly Sterling, the wife of former L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling, said she was able to convince former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer that he was getting an NBA franchise for a bargain price of $2 billion.
In an interview with The Associated Press via ESPN, Sterling said she didn't know Ballmer until he was approached by the latter to bid for the Clippers. She said a lot of bidders had expressed interest in the team, including an Egyptian princess and magnate David Geffen, who offered $1.65 billion.
She described Ballmer during their first meeting as 'really enthusiastic.' She described her first meeting with the now Clippers owner: "He was a like a little child. He was so excited, so happy. We sort of connected. I felt he would be good for the team."
Ballmer initially offered $1.9 billion for the Clippers, but Sterling said it was not enough. She recounted: "I told him: 'You won't have to build an arena or a practice field.' So he was getting a bargain. And I told him, 'We have great players, a great coach and you'll never have the chance to buy a team in Los Angeles again."
This prompted Ballmer to accede to Sterling's demands, agreeing to buy the team for a record $2-billion. "He really, really wanted the team," said Sterling.
The wife of the disgraced Donald Sterling said Ballmer promised her that he would never relocate the team to his hometown of Seattle, which is still reeling from the departure of the Thunder (then the Super Sonics) in 2008.
She said Ballmer gave him the title "owner emeritus" and that meant she would have floor tickets for all games.
Do you agree with Shelly Sterling? Tell us @SportsWN.
© 2023 Sportsworldnews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
