Add another name to the ever growing list of those interested in buying a piece of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers whenever the team goes up for sale as former boxing great and current promoter Oscar De La Hoya has expressed interest in the team.
In a statement released Tuesday night, De La Hoya cited the NBA hoping for more minority ownership being involved in the league as a reason why he would be a good fit for partial ownership in the Clippers.
“The league [NBA] has made it known that it wants more minorities involved, and as a proud Mexican-American, I will bring a different perspective to the NBA in general, and the Clippers in particular,” said De La Hoya. “I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I know what it takes to run a successful sports entity and nothing would make me happier than to bring an NBA Championship home to Southern California sports fans.”
De La Hoya has the name, track record and the money to be a serious player in whatever group ends up buying the team that should be up for sale in the near future. NBA commissioner Adam Silver banned current owner Donald Sterling from the league for life and recommended that the owners of other NBA teams vote to force a sale of the Clippers after racist remarks made by Sterling surfaced last week [via TMZ Sports].
De La Hoya went on to express his support of commissioner Silver’s actions and expressed his interest in potentially changing the league for the better if he does obtain some form of ownership down the line.
“I applaud NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for his quick and decisive action regarding in the Donald Sterling situation, and his forward thinking will push the league toward a positive future. There is no room for racism and unfair treatment in any professional sport, or in life in general. I hope to be a part of positive change for the league.”
De La Hoya wasn’t the only big name in boxing to express interest in potential ownership of the Clippers as Floyd Mayweather Jr. told reporters Tuesday afternoon at his grand arrival at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for his bout against Marcos Maidana this weekend that he also would like a piece of the Clippers when they go up for sale.
With the two already successfully partnering in promoting Mayweather fights over the last several years with Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, the two could also join forces in a potential group that could end up owning the Clippers, which would be a knockout of a deal for both De La Hoya and Mayweather.
