Ex-Microsoft CEO Ballmer wins record two bln-dollar bid for LA Clippers

Steve BallmerWashington, May 30 : Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has reportedly become the highest bidder in the war for ownership of NBA team, the Los Angeles Clippers, with a record two billion-dollar offer.

The Clippers' offer would set a record price for an NBA team as it would be almost four times the NBA record, paid for the Milwaukee Bucks

According to the Los Angeles Times, Ballmer bid higher than competitors that included Los Angeles-based investors Tony Ressler and Bruce Karsh and a group that included David Geffen and executives from the Guggenheim Group, the Chicago-based owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Although the report mentioned that Ballmer and Clippers co-owner Shelly Sterling concluded a deal, however, an attorney for co-owner Donald Sterling said that there could be sale without Sterling's signature.

The report mentioned that the sale price would be almost four times the previous NBA franchise high: the 550 million-dollar paid for the Milwaukee Bucks and it would also be the second-highest price ever paid for a sports team in North America. (ANI)