Now that Donald Sterling is being forced to sell the LA Clippers by the NBA, several obscenely wealthy folks – the list of moguls includes Magic Johnson, Oprah Winfrey, Diddy, Rick Ross, Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, David Geffen, among others – are said to be interested in purchasing the team. Sterling bought the Clips in 1981 for $12.5 million; the franchise could reportedly fetch close to a $1 billion on the open market. Per the LA Times, ESPN and the AP:
David Geffen — The music and film mogul, with a net worth estimated by Forbes at $6.2 billion, reportedly tried to buy the Clippers in 2010 and his office said he’s interested again.
In an email Tuesday, his office said Geffen was not available for comment “but if the Clippers become available, he would be interested in buying the franchise.”
Rick Caruso — The billionaire real estate developer said on Monday that he would be interested in leading, or joining, a group that would own the Clippers.
Magic Johnson — The former Lakers great teamed with Guggenheim Partners in purchasing the Dodgers from McCourt, and Johnson —with financial backing from Guggenheim — would be interested in the Clippers as well, it was reported Monday, citing a person familiar with the situation.
At his press conference Tuesday, (Adam) Silver said that “Magic Johnson knows he’s always welcome as an owner in this league. He’s been a part owner in the past of the Los Angeles Lakers and is always welcome and a close friend of the NBA family.”
Oprah Winfrey is considering teaming up with David Geffen and Larry Ellison to make a bid to buy the Los Angeles Clippers if the NBA’s board of governors votes to force Donald Sterling to sell the team, sources said.
Ellison, the CEO of Oracle, a business software and technology company, has attempted to purchase several sports teams in recent years.
Geffen’s and Ellison’s potential interest has been previously reported, but sources said they are considering joining with Winfrey on the bid for the Clippers, who could draw the interest of some of the world’s wealthiest people.
“Do we want to buy the Clippers? Yes we do,” Mayweather said. “I’m very, very interested in buying the Clippers.”
Mayweather may not have enough money to buy the Clippers by himself, but he’s certainly got enough for a good down payment. The boxer will make another $40 million or so Saturday night when he takes on Marcos Maidana in the third fight of a six-fight deal with Showtime that is reportedly worth $250 million.
“We want to buy the Clippers and we can afford to buy the Clippers,” Mayweather said.
I will always be a Knicks fan, but I am a business man. #DiddyBuyTheClippers #NameYourPrice
— Diddy (@iamdiddy) April 29, 2014
I’d be interested investing in @LAclippers !!!! Make It #WingstopArena @WingstopCEO Lets Goooo !!!
— Mastermind (@rickyrozay) April 29, 2014
Related: NBA Players React to Donald Sterling’s Lifetime Ban
