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Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer can buy the LA Clippers, judge rules

Ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer can buy the LA Clippers, judge rules

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Owner Donald Sterling's objections ruled against in court

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Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is clear to move ahead with his $2 billion purchase of the LA Clippers today after a judge ruled against the current owner's objection to the sale, reports The New York Times. Ballmer brokered his deal for the team with owner Donald Sterling's wife, who was said at the time to have legal standing to sell the team, after her husband was banned for life from the NBA for making a series of racist statements. Sterling argued that his wife did not have legal permission to sell the team, but a judge determined today that she did.

The judge also ruled that the Clippers' sale to Ballmer could go through immediately, the Times reports. Ballmer's purchase of the Clippers comes very shortly after his departure from Microsoft — it'll be a very different business to run, but there's good reason to believe that Ballmer can make good money from the team. The Clippers' current TV contract is said to expire after the 2015–2016 season, giving Ballmer the ability to renegotiate terms to something far more favorable for what should soon be his team.