Ballmer was part of a group that tried to buy the NBA’s Sacramento Kings last year and move them to Seattle. NBA owners rejected the move and the Kings were sold to a group that kept them in Sacramento. Seattle hasn’t had an NBA team since the Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 and became the Thunder.
Prospective owners of the Clippers were told to submit their bids by yesterday and the plan is to pick a winner by June 2, according to three people with direct knowledge of the situation. The people asked not to be identified because the process isn’t public.
Shelly Sterling is the wife of Clippers managing partner Donald Sterling, who was banned by the NBA for making racist statements, and has been presiding over the sale. Bank of America Corp. was retained to assist, people familiar with the process said. The NBA must approve any transfer of ownership.