The North American sports world has been consumed by the controversy surrounding Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who yesterday was banned for life by NBA commissioner Adam Silver for a series of racist and bigoted remarks leaked through audio tapes. In addition to Sterling's lifetime ban and the maximum $2.5 million fine, Silver plans to force Sterling to sell the team he's owned since 1981, pending approval of at least 22 of the other 29 team owners.
Floyd Mayweather Jr., the richest man in boxing and the sport's undisputed, undefeated best, could be the team's new owner. Mayweather, who is fighting Marcos Maidana this weekend in Las Vegas, had this to say during his appearance at the MGM Grand: (via USA Today)
"I can't come in here talking about Mayweather only going to get 3% or 4%," Mayweather, a huge Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers fan, said at the MGM Grand. "I got to get a solid percentage.
"But do we want to buy the Clippers? Yes we do. We're very, very interested in buying the Clippers."
It's amazing to see that in 2014 there is indeed high demand and value for this once downtrodden franchise. The Clippers currently lead the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference opening round by 3 games to 2, needing just one win to advance to the 2nd round.
If Mayweather does want to become the new Clippers owner, he'll have to fend off serious competition in the form of Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz.