Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer became owner of the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday when a California court judge authorized Shelly Sterling's right to close the sale for the club, the NBA announced.
— Los Angeles Clippers (@LAClippers) August 12, 2014
The NBA Board of Governors previously approved the sale and Ballmer is now the Clippers Governor, the NBA said in a statement.
Steve Ballmer is the new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers: https://t.co/eusSYByDDg pic.twitter.com/VHyyGld0aM — USA TODAY Sports (@USATODAYsports) August 12, 2014
Shelly Sterling sold the team on behalf of the Sterling Family Trust.
Ballmer's $2 billion purchase of the Clippers ends a saga that began when former team owner Donald Sterling was heard making racist remarks to his girlfriend on a tape recording.
The $2 billion price tag for the franchise was the highest paid for an NBA team. The team, which began in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, has never won a NBA championship and last season finished with a 57-25 record, losing in the Western Conference semifinals to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Shelly Sterling struck the deal with Ballmer in May, a month after the NBA banned her 80-year old husband, following revelations of his privately taped remarks imploring the girlfriend, V. Stiviano, not to publicly associate with black people.
Sterling's remarks, which were made during the Clippers' playoff run, sparked public outrage and prompted sponsors to cut ties with the team.
The team's interim CEO, Richard Parsons, testified at a probate trial that head coach Doc Rivers was ready to quit if Sterling remained the owner the team and that the team's players would do the same.
The 58-year-old Ballmer is worth an estimated $21.3 billion, according to Forbes magazine, and is the 31st wealthiest person in the United States.
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
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