Acquired

Episode 36: The LA Clippers

Apr 24, 2017
Explore the acquisition of the LA Clippers NBA franchise by Steve Ballmer, including the team's history, struggles, and turnaround. Dive into the fallout from the offensive comments made by the former owner, and the forced sale to Ballmer for $2B. Discuss the impact of the sale on sports franchise valuations and the future prospects of the Clippers. Touch on the growing appeal of the NBA and the potential future coverage of esports. Also, learn about the importance of iTunes reviews for podcast growth and discover a security compliance platform, Vanta.
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ANECDOTE

Early Clippers Struggles

  • The Los Angeles Clippers, originally the Buffalo Braves, struggled with scheduling due to another basketball team.
  • Owner John Brown Jr. traded star players to intentionally lower attendance and move the team.
ANECDOTE

Sterling's Ownership

  • Donald Sterling bought the Clippers in 1981, promising "unlimited sums" to build a contender.
  • He later became known for his frugality and illegally moved the team to LA.
ANECDOTE

Clippers' Continued Struggles

  • The Clippers had the worst winning percentage in American sports under Sterling's ownership.
  • ESPN named them the worst franchise in 2009, and Sterling began heckling his own players.
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