Less than half a day removed from WWE SummerSlam where former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar pummeled John Cena to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, the Staples Center hosted a joyous event for the fans in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Clippers welcomed their new owner Steve Ballmer with a fan rally.
This truly is a NEW and GREAT day! Welcome Mr. Ballmer!!! #ItsANewDay #Clippers pic.twitter.com/lwcRQ1FHXA
— Los Angeles Clippers (@LAClippers) August 18, 2014
Steve Ballmer: “I couldn’t be more excited and fired up to be here.” #ItsANewDay pic.twitter.com/hYvp7KzBwq
— Los Angeles Clippers (@LAClippers) August 18, 2014
Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, made a grand entrance similar to that of WWE superstar Roman Reigns, coming in through the crowd. His theme music? None other than classic Eminem’s 8 Mile Soundtrack hit, “Lose Yourself.” He demonstrated a great amount of enthusiasm, greeting fans with high-fives and chest bumps as he made his way to the stage.
Ballmer, as many already know, acquired the Clippers from Donald Sterling via a sale orchestrated by Shelly Sterling through the Sterling Family Trust for $2 billion — the largest sale price in the history of the league. After a few failed prior attempts to buy an NBA franchise, Los Angeles now has one of the most excitable owners in sports.
He was so into the emotion and passion of the rally that he even shouted out his new Clippers email address ([email protected]) to an in-arena audience of 4,500.
You can watch him address the Staples Arena crowd in the YouTube video below:
The players were also very enthusiastic to welcome their new team owner. All-Star forward Blake Griffin was practically in awe of Ballmer.
When he came through the crowd, I literally had goose bumps. I don’t know if there’s one good word to describe him. I know all our guys are excited about the energy he brings. It’s completely different.”
Head coach and team president Doc Rivers had also had nothing but good things to say about the former Microsoft executive.
Other players reacted on Twitter.
For all of you who weren’t able to make the fan-rally…meet Mr. Ballmer, sorry I mean Steve!!!… http://t.co/VEZCCxBMqc
— DeAndre Jordan (@deandrejordan) August 18, 2014
Welcome Rally For Steve Ballmer!! #ClipperFanRally #BallmerIsElectric #Clips14/15 http://t.co/NEjkWDUzM0 — Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) August 18, 2014
What a great challenge #MrBallmer took to take over this great organization, thanks to all the great FANS and everyone that stood behind US! — Reggie Bullock (@ReggieBullock35) August 18, 2014
Wow what a rally for our new Clippers owner!!! Mr. Balmer energy was crazy!!! I love it!! Exciting time for the Clippers!! — Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) August 18, 2014
After decades of mediocrity and racial tension, it is with a breath of fresh air that we all welcome the Ballmer era of the Los Angeles Clippers.
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Michael Brumagin writes the Tweet of the Day for SheridanHoops.com and is also a correspondent for BleacherReport.com. Follow @mbrumagin