New Clippers owner Steve Ballmer writes letter to fans
Steve Ballmer sent a letter to Clippers fans hours after he officially became the team's owner.
From the Orange County Register:
August 12, 2014
To the Clippers Family -
You may now have heard that this morning I officially became the owner of your Los Angeles Clippers. So as my first official communication, let me say thank you for continuing to support the Clipper organization. We are now looking forward to an exciting new season and I can't wait to experience the opening tip off with you.
Today marks the beginning of a new era in the life of our franchise. It also is the culmination of a dream that I have harbored for many years. To Coach Rivers, to our fantastic players, and most importantly to you, the dedicated fans that make this all possible, I pledge this: I will be hard core in my commitment to give the team the support it needs to be its best on and off the court. And I will do whatever is necessary to provide you, your family and friends with the best game-night experience in the NBA.
The Clippers franchise is a true public trust, and my goal is that the Clippers will play an ever-increasing role in the life of our community. We will achieve this goal the same way we will succeed on the court: By waking up every day and figuring out how we can be better - how we can do more - how we can ensure that the Clippers organization is not only winning on the court but also making a real difference in the community.
That is the challenge I set not only for myself but the entire Clippers organization.
Please join me for our Fan Festival, on Monday, August 18th at the STAPLES Center at 12:30 p.m. to celebrate what promises to be a bright future!
Sincerely,
Steve A. Ballmer
Ballmer, whose net worth is valued at $21.3 billion by Forbes, is the former CEO of Microsoft.
Late last month, Los Angeles County court judge Michael Levanas ruled that Shelly Sterling, the wife of former Clippers owner Donald Sterling, legally sold the team to Ballmer for $2 billion.
More: One Sterling trial resumes, another is just beginning in Clippers fight
The judge also invoked a clause permitting the sale to be completed regardless of Donald Sterling's appeal of the ruling. Sterling filed a new lawsuit late last month seeking monetary damages.
The NBA issued a press release Tuesday saying that the transaction has been "closed," and the NBA Board of Governors had already approved Ballmer, 58, as the owner.
- Chris Johnson
