Clippers Say Team Is Not For Sale Despite David Geffen Interest

Clippers Say Team Is Not For Sale Despite David Geffen Interest

Published June 9, 2010

Andy Roeser Says Donald Sterling Has Never Expressed Interest In Selling Clippers

The Clippers "maintain that they are not for sale," despite reports that DreamWorks SKG co-Founder David Geffen "would like to buy a controlling interest in the team," according to Dillman & Farmer of the L.A. TIMES. Clippers President Andy Roeser in a statement said Owner Donald Sterling "has never expressed a desire to sell any part of his team." Roeser: "Because it is an asset of remarkable value, it's true that there have been countless inquiries over the years. But the Clippers have never been for sale." Dillman & Farmer cited sources as indicating that Geffen is "interested in purchasing a part of the franchise," though not all sources "put the stake at 51%" (LATIMES.com, 6/8). ESPN.com's Mark Stein cited a source who "confirmed reports that Geffen is interested in purchasing a majority share of the Clippers -- and that the long-shot attempt to convince Sterling to cede operating control of the team is among the reasons" Cavaliers F LeBron James and LRMR CEO Maverick Carter "were in Los Angeles over the weekend." Carter, "who handles the bulk of James' business dealings," attended Sunday's Celtics-Lakers NBA Finals Game Two with Geffen, a "wildly successful businessman who, like investor Warren Buffett, appears to have quickly secured James' respect." Sources said that the Clippers "won't factor into James' thinking as long as they continue to be run by Sterling" (ESPN.com, 6/8). However, one of Geffen's close advisors said the reports are "pure nonsense." In L.A., Patrick Goldstein noted Geffen "did sit with Carter at the Lakers game, but Geffen often uses his courtside seats to schmooze with a variety of power players." Geffen "has told friends that there's no truth to his having made an offer to buy the team" (LATIMES.com, 6/8).

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING? ESPN’s Mike Golic said, "Understand in all of this, the Clippers aren't for sale. Donald Sterling has said he is never selling the team. … Money talks and certainly David Geffen wants to go in and shoot for the moon, you would think that you might be a sale. But let's understand the Clippers are not for sale.” ESPN’s Jalen Rose added, “I do not see Donald Sterling selling a controlling interest to his team. This is the same Donald Sterling that could have moved his team to Anaheim where he could have sold out on a nightly basis. He chose to move to the Staples Center.” But ESPN’s Mike Greenberg said Geffen “is exactly the type of person” that James may be interested in signing with. Greenberg, on Geffen: “He is a Hollywood mogul type. ... Factor in the fact that the Clippers have two max spots available, they could go out and sign LeBron James and Chris Bosh.” He added, “I think that everyone is overlooking the real possibility that LeBron James is going to wind up a Clipper" (“Mike & Mike in the Morning," ESPN Radio, 6/9)