The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team plays in the Western Conference, Pacific Division, and is known for its competitive performances and modern facilities.
Founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the franchise relocated to San Diego in 1978 (becoming the San Diego Clippers) before finally moving to Los Angeles in 1984. The Clippers currently play their home games at the Intuit Dome, which officially opened in 2024.
As of October 2025, the team is owned by Steve Ballmer, who purchased the franchise in 2014 after a major ownership transition.
Ownership Status of LA Clippers
The LA Clippers are a privately owned professional sports franchise. Ownership is not distributed publicly like a stock corporation but held almost entirely by a single individual — Steve Ballmer.
Major Shareholders
| Shareholder / Entity | Ownership Percentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Ballmer | ~99% | Former Microsoft CEO; purchased team in August 2014 for $2 billion |
| Dennis J. Wong | ~1% | Business associate of Ballmer; minor investor and limited partner |
Note: There are no institutional or public investors. The Clippers are privately held under Ballmer’s control.
About the Owner- Steve Ballmer
Steve Ballmer is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He served as the CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014, succeeding Bill Gates, and helped lead Microsoft through growth in enterprise software, cloud services, and other businesses. After stepping down, Ballmer remained a major shareholder in Microsoft and diversified his interests, including acquiring the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014. He and his wife also launched the Ballmer Group, a family office and philanthropic vehicle focused on social impact.
Steve Ballmer Net Worth
As for his net worth, estimates vary depending on the source and timing. As of mid-2025:
- Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index places his wealth in the ballpark of $150+ billion.
- Forbes lists him around $118 billion (real-time estimate) in some reports.
- Other sources push the figure even higher (e.g. $160+ billion) depending on Microsoft stock and other holdings.
Because much of his wealth comes from his stake in Microsoft and investments that fluctuate with market value, his net worth changes over time.
Key Shareholder Highlights
Steve Ballmer, a billionaire entrepreneur and the former CEO of Microsoft, is the principal and controlling owner of the LA Clippers. He purchased the franchise from the Sterling Family Trust in 2014 following the NBA’s forced sale after the Donald Sterling scandal.
Since Ballmer’s acquisition, the Clippers have undergone a complete transformation — from team management to facilities and brand image. Ballmer has invested billions into the organization, including the construction of the Intuit Dome, a new $2 billion state-of-the-art arena in Inglewood, California.
His leadership has also helped raise the franchise’s valuation, with Forbes (2024) estimating the Clippers’ worth at around $5.5 billion, making them one of the NBA’s most valuable teams.
Recent Developments in Ownership
- In August 2014, the NBA officially approved Steve Ballmer’s $2 billion purchase of the LA Clippers.
- The sale followed the Donald Sterling controversy, after which Sterling was banned from the NBA for life.
- In 2024, Ballmer inaugurated the Intuit Dome, marking a new chapter of private investment and independence from the shared Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center).
- There have been no recent ownership changes — Steve Ballmer remains the full owner as of 2025.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of LA Clippers?
The current and full owner of the LA Clippers is Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft.
2. Is the LA Clippers publicly traded or privately owned?
The LA Clippers are privately owned. Their shares are not traded publicly.
3. Who founded the LA Clippers?
The franchise was originally founded as the Buffalo Braves in 1970 by Paul Snyder before relocating and rebranding.
4. Has the ownership changed recently?
No. Ownership has remained stable under Steve Ballmer since 2014.
5. How much did Steve Ballmer pay for the Clippers?
Steve Ballmer purchased the Clippers for $2 billion in 2014 — one of the largest team purchases in NBA history.
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