Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer recently discussed "many of the topics" surrounding the team, including marketing the franchise in L.A. and a potential arena project in Inglewood, according to a Q&A with Broderick Turner of the L.A. TIMES. Excerpts of the interview are below -- some questions and answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Q: Are you happy with your marketing efforts in L.A. and do you believe you’ve made inroads on the Lakers?
Ballmer: We’re on a good path. ... We’re a little grittier. ... There is a whole side of L.A. that’s hard-working, tough-minded. There’s certainly some flash. Even if you look at folks in the entertainment business, we have our own fans. ... We’ve got plenty of space to identify ourselves as guys who love being in L.A., we love how cool it is in L.A. and we’re just going to ride it out and show L.A. what it means to be tough.
Q: You took the president title away from coach Doc Rivers, promoted Lawrence Frank to President of Basketball Operations, hired Jerry West as a consultant and hired more people in the front office. Why?
Ballmer: I don’t want to imply I’m micromanaging. I’m not going to be. When it comes time to sign a big contract, people love to say, “Who’s in charge?” I’ll tell you who’s in charge. The owner. I’m not saying the owner does this without a lot of advice and counsel, but before you spend $170M or $205M, guess what? The guy who has got to pay the check has got to buy in. And I have to be willing to stand up for decisions.
Q: What is your vision for the arena project in Inglewood? Where do things stand in the process?
Ballmer: (Inglewood) Mayor (James) Butts has been welcoming and inviting. That’s been a good, good process. It’s our sense, and we’ll learn more as we start, there is a process where we’ll get out in front of the community. But our sense is the community would like to have the Clippers in Inglewood.
Q: What do you think of MSG's opposition that’s materialized in Inglewood since they own The Forum?
Ballmer: The merit is on our side. The community wants us.
Q: Have you seen James Dolan at any of the NBA owners’ meetings since you started the arena project?
Ballmer: I haven’t seen Mr. Dolan. And who knows. Maybe they’re not one of the issues. We’ll see. The key thing for us is what’s good for the community, and that we are collaborative and address the issues in the community and what’s good for us (L.A. TIMES, 10/3).
