The Los Angeles Clippers are owned by Steve Ballmer, the former chief executive officer of Microsoft, who bought the franchise for $2 billion in August 2014.
That sale followed one of the most dramatic ownership changes in NBA history, when former owner Donald Sterling was banned from the league for racist remarks and forced to sell the team he had controlled since 1981.
More than a decade later, Ballmer remains one of the most hands on owners in professional sports.
He funded a brand new home for the team, the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, and has built an organization now valued at roughly $7.5 billion according to Forbes.
This guide walks through who owns the Clippers today, how the franchise reached its current valuation, and what recent news around the team means for fans heading into the 2026 season.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts About Los Angeles Clippers Ownership
| Category | Detail |
| Current Owner | Steve Ballmer |
| Purchase Year | 2014 |
| Purchase Price | $2 billion |
| Estimated Value (2026) | Approximately $7.5 billion |
| Home Arena | Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California |
| Previous Owner | Donald Sterling (1981 to 2014) |
| League | National Basketball Association |
How Steve Ballmer Structured Clippers Ownership
Unlike many NBA franchises that operate under a group of limited partners, the Clippers are controlled almost entirely by a single majority owner.
Ballmer purchased the team outright through Ballmer Group Holdings rather than assembling a large ownership committee, which has allowed him to make rapid decisions on spending, arena construction, and front office hires without seeking approval from co owners.
Majority owner and governor, controlling nearly all equity in the franchise since 2014.
The private holding entity used to finance the purchase and fund the Intuit Dome project.
The operating franchise entity that fields the team, runs the arena, and answers to the NBA Board of Governors.
Because Ballmer holds nearly full control, the Clippers avoid many of the ownership disputes that surface at other franchises where multiple families or investment groups share power.
That concentrated structure also means every major decision, from coaching changes to arena design, traces back to a single individual with a background in software and data analysis rather than a legacy sports family.
A Timeline of Los Angeles Clippers Ownership History
The team began play as the Buffalo Braves before relocating twice, eventually settling in Los Angeles in 1984.
Sterling purchased the San Diego Clippers for roughly 12.5 million dollars, later moving the franchise to Los Angeles.
Recorded racist comments led NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to ban Sterling and pursue a forced sale of the franchise.
A California court approved Ballmer’s 2 billion dollar acquisition on August 12, 2014, ending the Sterling era.
Ballmer began construction on a privately funded arena in Inglewood, separate from the shared Crypto.com Arena downtown.
The Clippers opened their new arena for the 2024 to 2025 season, giving the franchise its first dedicated home venue.
Who Is Steve Ballmer
Before buying the Clippers, Steve Ballmer spent more than three decades at Microsoft, joining the company in 1980 as its thirtieth employee and later serving as chief executive officer from 2000 until 2014.
According to Wikipedia, his personal fortune, built largely from Microsoft stock accumulated over his career, has made him one of the wealthiest sports team owners in the world, with a net worth commonly reported above one hundred billion dollars.
Ballmer stepped away from day to day duties at Microsoft the same year he bought the Clippers, choosing to focus much of his attention on the team and on philanthropic work through Ballmer Group, which he runs alongside his wife Connie.
His approach to ownership mirrors his corporate background, favoring data driven decisions, direct involvement in arena design, and a willingness to spend on payroll well beyond the league average.
How Much Are the Los Angeles Clippers Worth in 2026
Forbes placed the Clippers among the top five most valuable NBA franchises in its most recent rankings, with a franchise value of approximately $7.5 billion, a figure that reportedly grew about 36 percent from the prior year.
That jump reflects rising league wide media revenue, the opening of the Intuit Dome, and strong on court performance relative to payroll spending.
You can review the full methodology and current figures on the Forbes NBA valuations page.
Team revenue reportedly reached roughly $569 million, with operating income near $154 million and a debt to value ratio of just about 1 percent, an unusually low figure for a franchise that also financed a multibillion dollar arena.
That low leverage is a direct result of Ballmer funding most of the Intuit Dome personally rather than relying heavily on debt financing, a decision analysts have pointed to as a major factor in the team’s strong balance sheet.
Is Steve Ballmer A Good Owner
By most measures, Ballmer ranks among the more popular owners in professional sports.
He is known for attending games courtside with visible enthusiasm, has consistently authorized one of the league’s highest payrolls in pursuit of a championship, and personally financed the Intuit Dome rather than seeking public subsidies, a rare move among modern arena projects.
According to ESPN, Ballmer has long been recognized as one of the wealthiest and most active owners in the league.
Critics note that despite the spending, the Clippers have yet to reach an NBA Finals under his ownership, and the team has dealt with recurring injury concerns among star players.
Even so, Ballmer’s willingness to invest in infrastructure, community programs around Inglewood, and player facilities has generally earned him favorable marks from fans and league observers compared to many peer owners.
The Intuit Dome And Ballmer’s Investment In Inglewood
The Intuit Dome opened for the 2024 to 2025 season at a reported cost approaching $2 billion, funded almost entirely by Ballmer rather than through public financing.
The arena sits in Inglewood near SoFi Stadium and includes a dedicated practice facility, team headquarters, and a 23 year naming rights agreement with Intuit valued at roughly $500 million.
The venue has already drawn major league attention, having been selected to host the 2026 NBA All Star Game.
Giving the Clippers their own arena, separate from the shared Crypto.com Arena downtown that they previously used alongside the Lakers, was widely viewed as a turning point in establishing the franchise’s own identity in the Los Angeles market.
The Kawhi Leonard And Aspiration Investigation Explained
Heading into 2026, the Clippers organization has faced scrutiny tied to a league investigation involving star forward Kawhi Leonard and his endorsement agreement with the now defunct company Aspiration.
Reports alleged the arrangement may have functioned as a way to circumvent the salary cap, a claim the Clippers publicly called absurd.
The NBA has continued examining the matter, and Leonard has since spoken publicly, confirming Aspiration owed him money from the deal.
As of the 2026 All Star break, the league confirmed the Intuit Dome would still host All Star weekend despite the ongoing review, and no formal findings or penalties against Ballmer or the organization had been announced.
Fans should expect continued coverage of this story throughout the season as the investigation proceeds.
Are the Clippers For Sale In 2026
There is no credible indication that Steve Ballmer intends to sell the Los Angeles Clippers.
He has repeatedly stated his long term commitment to the franchise, and his massive personal investment in the Intuit Dome signals plans to remain involved for many years to come.
Unlike some owners who treat franchises as short term financial assets, Ballmer has framed his purchase and subsequent arena project as a multi decade commitment to the Los Angeles community.
Given the franchise’s rising valuation, low debt levels, and new revenue streams tied to the arena, a sale in the near future appears unlikely.
Any change in ownership would also require approval from three quarters of the NBA Board of Governors, a process that historically only accelerates when an owner faces serious controversy, financial distress, or advanced age, none of which currently apply to Ballmer.
How the Clippers Compare To Other Los Angeles Teams
Los Angeles is home to several major professional franchises, each with entirely separate ownership groups.
The Clippers should not be confused with the Los Angeles Lakers, who compete in the same arena market but remain controlled by the Buss family, or with the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, which operates under different investors entirely.
Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers and football’s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers also maintain fully independent ownership structures unrelated to Ballmer or the Clippers organization.
For readers researching ownership across professional sports more broadly, including how league wide governance structures work, resources like our breakdown of who owns the NFL offer useful context on how franchise sales, board approval, and revenue sharing typically operate across major American leagues.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clippers Ownership
Who currently owns the LA Clippers?
Steve Ballmer, the former Microsoft chief executive officer, has owned the Los Angeles Clippers since completing a $2 billion purchase in August 2014.
Why did Donald Sterling have to sell the Clippers?
Sterling was banned for life by the NBA in April 2014 after recorded racist comments became public, and the league forced a sale that concluded with Ballmer’s purchase later that year.
How much are the Clippers worth today?
Forbes valued the franchise at approximately $7.5 billion in its most recent NBA rankings, placing the Clippers among the league’s most valuable teams.
Does Steve Ballmer own the Intuit Dome too?
Yes, Ballmer personally financed construction of the Intuit Dome, the team’s arena in Inglewood, California, which opened for the 2024 to 2025 season.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.