Who Will Buy The Clippers? Here Are 11 Legit Candidates [PHOTOS]
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In premature talks of purchasing the Los Angeles Clippers from racist owner Donald Sterling, a number of high-paid celebrities have thrown their hats in the ring as potential buyers.
When NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that Sterling would be banned from the league for life, a massive wave of applause walloped the viral universe. Silver added on that Sterling would be paying a fine of $2.5 million, before mentioning he’d like to see the NBA force the bigoted business tycoon to sell the L.A. Clippers. And voilà, just like that, a slew of top-earning celebs – largely “minorities” – come out the woodworks for a chance to place his or her bid.
Since the heated press conference; Oprah, Diddy and even Magic Johnson (who previously debunked the rumor), have expressed their interest in purchasing the L.A. Clippers. In light of the grand affair, we present to you 11 potential buyers. Some of whom have openly expressed their interest, while the others simply have acquired enough capital to sit at the same dinner table.
Hit the following pages to find out who they are…
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Photos: WENN
Diddy
Puff Daddy topped Forbes wealthiest Hip-Hop artists list. He recently tweeted he’d buy out the L.A. Clippers, despite his affinity for the Knicks, possibly with the help of fellow colleague Rick Ross. “I will always be a Knicks fan, but I am a business man. #DiddyBuyTheClippers #NameYourPrice”
Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre is now a part of the growing bevy of would-be NBA franchise owners from the hip-hop industry. The multi-talented producer disclosed to TMZ Sports his desire to become a new NBA owner. “I’m thinking about it… yes.”
Oscar De La Hoya
De La Hoya, retired a boxer and creator of the biggest boxing promotion firm in the U.S., told the LA Times: “The league has made it known that it wants more minorities involved, and as a proud Mexican American, I will bring a different perspective to the NBA in general, and the Clippers in particular. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I know what it takes to run a successful sports entity and nothing would make me happier than to bring an NBA championship home to Southern California sports fans.”
Floyd Mayweather
Mayweather expressed his interest in buying out the Clippers to the media promoting his Saturday fight with Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas. “I called Al (Haymon) today about that to see if me, Leonard (Ellerbe) and Al, and hopefully Richard (Schaefer) and a couple of other guys, a couple other of my billionaire guys, we can come together and see what we can come up with.”
Oprah
America’s favorite media mogul threw in her hat too. According to ESPN.com, the TV superstar and her rich friends (David Geffen & Larry Ellison) are interested in buying the Los Angeles Clippers “should the team’s exiled owner be forced to sell the team.”
Magic Johnson
Johnson and his financial backers, Guggenheim, are interested in buying the Clippers. “This is 100 percent Magic’s plan,” a league official involved in the buying/selling of franchises told Yahoo Sports.
Jay Z
Hov made third place on Forbes wealthiest Hip-Hop artists list. As a lover of sports himself (see Roc Nation Sports) and former part owner of the Brooklyn Nets, it would only behoove the New York rapper to consider, at least.
Rick Caruso
Billionaire real estate developer who tried to purchase the team back in 2012 told TMZ he’s ready and willing to buy the L.A. Clippers if Donald Sterling gets the boot.
50 Cent
50 Cent placed fifth in Forbes wealthiest Hip-Hop artists list with $140M from his stake in Vitamin Water. In the latter part of 50’s career fans have seen him become more and more an emblem for top-notch physical fitness and a figure in sports related affairs. Being an NBA franchise owner shouldn’t be out of the question.
Jennifer Lopez
Well, she does have the money. Jennifer Lopez recently won in a bid against Diddy for Fuse TV. The mogul’s $200 million offer was outbid by J Lo’s $226 million. In the words of Pitbull – ¡dale!
Nick Cannon
Entertainer Nick Cannon took a rather different approach. Not only did he express his interest in buying the team, but he also indicated he wants to take them back to San Diego. Refer to his Instagram posts below.
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50 Cent 50 Cent dr. dre Floyd mayweather Floyd Mayweather jay-z Los Angeles Clippers Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey oscar de la hoya Puff Daddy Rick Ross