Steve Ballmer in Talks to Buy the Forum for the Clippers

(Bloomberg) -- Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is in advanced talks with Madison Square Garden Co. to turn the Forum in Inglewood, California, into the team’s new home, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The move could help resolve a dispute between MSG, Inglewood and Ballmer, who has been attempting to build an arena nearby, according to the person, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. A representative for MSG declined to comment.

ESPN previously reported on the negotiations. In a statement to the sports network, the Clippers said they were examining “every possible way” to resolve their differences with MSG over a new arena. The Clippers didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from Bloomberg News.

MSG, part of the Dolan family empire that owns the New York Knicks, has been fighting to block Ballmer from building an arena in Inglewood, a city that borders Los Angeles, arguing that it was told a rival venue wouldn’t be allowed in the area.

Ballmer, the billionaire former Microsoft Corp. chief executive officer, acquired the Clippers for $2 billion in 2014. He inherited an arrangement whereby the Clippers share the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles with the NBA’s Lakers and the National Hockey League’s Kings.

Ironically, acquiring the Forum would put the Clippers in the venue where the Lakers enjoyed much of their glory. The team played in the arena during their 1980s dynasty, when they won five championships.

To contact the reporters on this story: Nick Turner in Los Angeles at nturner7@bloomberg.net;Lucas Shaw in Los Angeles at lshaw31@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Nick Turner at nturner7@bloomberg.net

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