How tech execs have fared running pro sports teams
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Former Microsoft chief executive has reached a deal to but the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion.(Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images)
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's deal to buy the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion[1] is the latest endeavor by a renowned tech executive to dip into the sports world.
Several professional sports teams feature owners that made a portion of their fortunes in the tech industry. Here's a look at some of the notable names and how they've fared in the owner's box.
Paul Allen
Teams: Portland Trailblazers (NBA), Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
Tech connection: Allen co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates.
Details: The Blazers were among the top teams in the NBA early during Allen's ownership tenure, even making the NBA Finals. But their championship hopes were derailed by some guy named Michael Jordan. The team wrapped a playoff run in 2014, ending in the second round against the San Antonio Spurs. Allen finally earned his first pro sports championship on the gridiron, thanks to the Seahawks drubbing of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Mark Cuban
Team: Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
Tech connection: Helped run Broadcast.com, a webcasting service later sold to Yahoo during the dot-com boom for $5.7 billion.
Details: One of the more outspoken owners in the league, Cuban has delivered the Mavs to respectability. The team only missed the playoffs once during Cuban's tenure, making the NBA Finals twice and winning one title during the 2010-11 season. He also LOVES NBA referees[2].
Ted Leonsis
Teams: Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL)
Tech connection: Former executive at AOL.
Details: Following three down years, the Wizards finally returned to the postseason, losing in the second round to the Indiana Pacers. Meanwhile, the Capitals have squandered strong regular seasons in the playoffs, getting bounced in early rounds. This week, the team hired a new coach and general manager.
Dan Gilbert
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Tech connection: Co-founded the online loan service Quicken Loans.
Details: The Cavaliers a five-year run of playoffs appearances during the LeBron James era, making the NBA Finals once. Since LeBron departed to the Miami Heat, the Cavs have failed to make the playoffs. At least Gilbert is great at snagging No. 1 draft picks[3].
Joe Lacob
Team: Golden State Warriors (NBA)
Tech connection: Partner at renowned venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, which invested in tech giants such as Amazon and Google.
Details: After beating out Oracle CEO Larry Ellison for rights to team with co-owner Peter Guber, Lacob has watched his team make the NBA playoffs in back-to-back season. However, Lacob fired head coach Mark Jackson after the end of the season, following reports of a fractured relationship between the two.
Nintendo
Team: Seattle Mariners (MLB)
Tech connection: The team is owned by Nintendo, the video game company best known for Super Mario Bros. Howard Lincoln serves as the team's chairman and CEO.
Details: Although Nintendo is great at video games, baseball is another matter. Since 1992, the Mariners have only made the postseason four times, last appearing in 2001.
Peter Karmanos, Jr.
Team: Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Tech connection: Former CEO of software company Compuware.
Details: Karmanos bought the team while it was the Hartford Whalers in 1994, moving them south three years later. The Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup during the 2005-06 season. Since then, the team has missed the playoffs seven of the past eight seasons.
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23[4].
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References
- ^ http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/clippers/2014/05/29/steve-ballmer-los-angeles-bidding-shelly-donald-sterling-sale-microsoft/9741751/ (rssfeeds.usatoday.com)
- ^ http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/05/nba-officiating-mark-cuban-2006-finals-fbi-agent (ftw.usatoday.com)
- ^ http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/draft/2014/05/20/lottery-order-no-1-top-pick/9340891/ (rssfeeds.usatoday.com)
- ^ http://twitter.com/brettmolina23 (twitter.com)