After Spending $2Bn to Escape Lakers Shadow, Steve Ballmer Makes One Demand From Clippers Fans

The newly built Intuit Dome hosted its very first NBA game on Monday. Clippers fans were not left disappointed as they won against the Dallas Mavericks. The team has played without a home since the ’90s and had to rent the Lakers Arena in Downtown, LA. This is one thing owner Steve Ballmer decided to change when he took over the franchise.

This has led to the creation of the Intuit Dome and it’s much more than just a stadium for the Los Angeles Clippers. It means after so many years they will have a place to call home and all of this was made possible by only one man, Steve Ballmer. He’s not your average Billionaire owner, Steve loves his team and is particularly known for his courtside enthusiasm.

After investing nearly $2 billion in the 18,000-seat stadium, Steve Ballmer has just one small request for Clippers fans. In a recent interview on 60 Minutes, Ballmer expressed, “Will it really help? I can’t promise, but everything in my instinct says it will help our team, our basketball team, if our crowd team can really get into it and give them energy”. This was his response when asked if the new stadium would contribute to winning games.

Steve Ballmer believes in the power of instinct and has urged fans to rally behind their team. He encourages them to show their support, emphasizing that this could translate into improved performance on the court. It’s all about demonstrating to the players that the crowd is with them, providing the boost they need. For years, the Clippers shared a home with the Lakers, often living in their shadow. Let’s explore how they have navigated this dynamic over the years.

“We’ve not won one” – How the Lakers overshadowed the LA Clippers?

The Lakers Arena was home to not only the Los Angeles Lakers but also the Los Angeles Clippers. The two teams shared a stadium and it isn’t something the Clippers fans wanted, especially when your sharing partner has 17 titles to show off. This question was raised to Steve as well. “It’s a fact. They’ve won, whatever it is, 17 championships. We’ve not won one,” he responded. He pointed out that historically the Lakers are a better team and that is a fact.

However, he also added “I get that. But am I okay with it? No. Of course not. Do I take it as a challenge? Yes. Are we gonna get after it? Yes. Every day we get after it.” the clippers owner is not yet ready to throw in the towel. He is motivated to change the facts and he wants the same motivation from his players and fans.

The new stadium is the first step to getting out of the shadow of the Lakers. Steve has also heavily invested in the team since his takeover and they have not had a losing season from the time he took over. It will take a lot of years before the Clippers catch up with the Lakers but you’ve got to admit the enthusiasm of their owner and how motivated he is to give his team their own identity. He wants the Clippers to succeed and see the fans happy, well he has checked the fan’s box as they seem to adore their owner.