Oprah Winfrey interested in buying Clippers, according to report
The talk show host is considering joining an investment group that is interested in purchasing the Clippers if Donald Sterling is forced to sell.
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Oprah Winfrey is the latest celebrity name to surface as a potential buyer of the Los Angeles Clippers. According to sources of ESPN, the celebrity talk show host is considering joining music and film mogul David Geffen and business CEO Larry Ellison, who as a group could buy the NBA team if current owner Donald Sterling is forced to sell.
Interest in purchasing the franchise has seemingly become a free-for-all, even before NBA owners have voted to oust the Clippers owner in the wake of his scandal.
Donald Sterling Fallout
NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced Tuesday that Sterling would be forced to sell his team after an audio recording surfaced of Sterling making racially-insensitive remarks.
Geffen and Ellison were already considered potential candidates to buy the NBA team, but adding Winfrey would only add to their group’s financial backing.
Magic Johnson and his investment group reportedly have interest in buying the franchise, according to Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski, who also reported that a bidding war could bring the cost of the team beyond the $1 billion threshold. Also on Wednesday morning, USA Today’s Bob Velin reported that boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has serious interest in buying the Clippers.
First, the NBA owners must reach a three-fourths vote to oust Sterling as owner, but it’s possible he doesn’t go quietly. Sterling told Fox News’ Jim Gray prior to the punishments handed down by the NBA that he had no interest in selling the team.
UPDATE: This is a real thing!
Oprah Winfrey spokesperson: "Oprah Winfrey is in discussions with David Geffen and Larry Ellison to make a bid for the Clippers..."
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) April 30, 2014 See More:
