“Get that s**t out of here” – LA natives DEMAND Steve Ballmer take Clippers to another city after owner criticized lack of love for his team from residents

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer faces backlash from LA natives over team’s identity crisis

“Get that s**t out of here” – LA natives DEMAND Steve Ballmer take Clippers to another city after owner criticized lack of love for his team from residents

Steve Ballmer (Via Forbes)

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is feeling the heat from some LA natives who want him to take his team elsewhere after he expressed his disappointment with the lack of love and support for his team from the city that has two professional sports teams in every major league.

Ballmer, who acquired the Clippers in 2014 for $2 billion, has been trying to transform the team’s image, performance, and fan experience. He has also been working on a massive project to build a new $2-billion arena in Inglewood, across the street from SoFi Stadium, which will be the team’s exclusive home starting from the 2024-25 NBA season.

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However, despite his efforts, Ballmer has not been able to win over the hearts and minds of many LA natives, who still view the Clippers as the second-class and unwelcomed rival of the Los Angeles Lakers, the most successful and popular franchise in NBA history. The Lakers have won 17 championships and have a loyal fan base that spans generations and cultures. The Clippers, on the other hand, have never won a title and have often been overshadowed by their cross-town counterparts.

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Ballmer revealed his frustration with this situation in a recent interview with The Sporting Tribune’s Arash Markazi, where he said: “It’s such a weird thing. I’ve never lived in a place where everyone in your city doesn’t root for you,” Ballmer said, referring to the dominance of the Los Angeles Lakers in the LA market. “I mean, I grew up in Detroit. Everybody roots for the Pistons. You might hate them if you’re from Chicago or something, but everybody roots for the Pistons.” He also added that he hopes to change that perception by creating a winning culture and a unique identity for his team.

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LA natives are not happy with Steve Ballmer’s comments

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Steve Ballmer (Via GeekWire)

However, Ballmer’s comments did not sit well with some LA natives, who took to social media to voice their anger and resentment. They accused Ballmer of being arrogant, disrespectful, and ignorant of the city’s history and culture. They also urged him to relocate his team to another market where he could get more appreciation and support.

Ballmer also revealed that he has researched and decided against changing the name of the Clippers, despite some suggestions that he should rebrand the team to distance themselves from their past struggles and scandals. “We did some research on it,” Ballmer said. “We thought about it hard. And we decided not to do it.”

Ballmer said he believes that the Clippers have a loyal fan base that deserves respect and recognition. “We have fans who have stuck with us through thick and thin,” Ballmer said. “And I think they deserve something that is uniquely their own.”

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