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The Dog Days of the LA Clippers are over thanks to Steve Ballmer

By Nathan Jacobo

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 07: Head coach Doc Rivers (L) and owner Steve Ballmer of the LA Clippers pose on the court before a game between the Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 07: Head coach Doc Rivers (L) and owner Steve Ballmer of the LA Clippers pose on the court before a game between the Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 28: Clippers’ owner Steve Ballmer shoots hot dogs at the crowd during a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on February 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 28: Clippers’ owner Steve Ballmer shoots hot dogs at the crowd during a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on February 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) /

Overall Fan Experience/Community Outreach

In prior years before Steve Ballmer took over as owner, Clipper games just felt very bland in terms of product on the floor (excluding Blake Griffin), during timeouts and half-time.

Here is how Steve Ballmer has changed Clipper games in-person, at home and in communities.

2014-2015

  • Clippers launch new team logo and new uniforms
  • Ballmer decides to dim lighting in arena so court is more visible to players and fans

2015-2016

  • Clippers unveil new team mascot, Chuck the Condor, and everyone in attendance received a pair of Chuck Taylor’s

2016-2017

  • Clippers introduce “DTLAC” nights where fans received LED bracelets that would light up during games
  • Half-time shows now included mini-concerts and more entertainment

2017-2018

  • Ballmer creates a new G-League team, the Agua Caliente Clippers, located in Ontario, California
  • NBA partners with NIKE on jerseys as Clippers introduce four new jerseys
  • Ballmer and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti launch a campaign to restore old basketball courts around the City of Los Angeles
  • Clippers launch, “Clippers CourtVision”, where fans can get different angles of game-action on their mobile device or laptop and see animations for shot-attempts, field-goal percentages and many more
  • Clippers partner with “Bumble”, and have their logo patched on every Clipper jersey

2018-2019

  • Clippers hold Heritage nights for all ethnicity’s, as well as having PRIDE day and Ceder’s Sinai Kids Day
  • HOOP DAY LA: Clippers DJ Dense and others host a mini-fair with prizes that includes tons of Clippers gear for prizes
  • Ballmer unveils Hot Dog Cannon which served Hot Dogs to fans

2019-Future

  • Ballmer still hopes to secure a deal with the city of Inglewood and AEG on having a new Clippers arena built in 2024
  • The Clippers will continue hosting events giving back to the community
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