Steve Ballmer takes over ownership of Clippers
Listen to this articlePhoto above: Clippers forward Blake Griffin about to shoot his second free throw in the final moments of Game Five of the Western Conference Semi-Final series. The Oklahoma City Thunder went on to win the game and the series.
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Today Clippers fans get the chance to welcome the new team owner, Steve Ballmer, to the NBA at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Appearing with the former Microsoft CEO will be Head Coach Doc Rivers, as well as players Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and others. It’s a big day for the fans and team who were shocked this past spring when former owner Donald Sterling was caught on recordings making extremely racist comments while his team was in the midst of the Playoffs.
The NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling for life and ordered the team sold to someone else before the start of this next season. Mission accomplished. Steve Ballmer is a welcome relief after the dark cloud cast on the team by the previous owner.
Ballmer has vowed to put all the resources needed into bringing another NBA championship to Los Angeles, but this time with the colors of Clippers on the championship banner.
Last season the Clippers came very close to making the Western Conference Finals, but lost Game 5 of the semi-finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final two minutes of the game. This year the Clippers expect to be in the NBA Finals and new owner Steve Ballmer has committed himself and his resources to make it happen.
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Doors open at the Staples Center at noon and the festivities start at 12:30. The first 2,500 fans will receive a “We Are Clipper Nation” t-shirt. Fans unable to attend can watch a live stream of the event on Clippers.com
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Photos from the celebration and the press conference that followed.
The front of the Staples Center.
Head Coach Doc Rivers with new Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
Claudia is of Peruvian and Italian descent, having been born in a small town, in the North of Peru, South America. She was raised by her grandmother from an early age, living in poverty until Claudia’s mother brought her to America. She landed in Miami, FL and started her new life, playing high school basketball and eventually becoming a United States citizen. Claudia completed her education at Florida International University with a BA in Broadcast Journalism and became a model to supplement her income. Since graduating from FIU Claudia has worked with many of the Spanish Language broadcasting companies, including Telemundo, Univision and most recently Spanish Language channels on SiriusXM satellite radio and PasTV Deportes in Venezuela.She encourages you to follow her on Twitter and Facebook. Her content appears here under a shared content agreement with her Spanish television clients.