In 2018, Steve and Connie Ballmer and the Clippers gave $10 million to restore Los Angeles basketball courts; four years later, the project finished renovations on 350 public courts across the city
In 2018, Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his wife, Connie Ballmer, gave $10 million to renovate public basketball courts across Los Angeles. Four years later, the project reached its goal, with 350 courts refurbished across the city.
The final renovated court was unveiled on June 28, 2022, at the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Center in Los Angeles. Ballmer attended the event with then-Mayor Eric Garcetti, marking the completion of the Clippers Community Courts project.The Clippers had partnered with the Los Angeles Parks Foundation to renovate the courts. The Ballmers were initially approached in 2018 to help restore a select number of courts, but they decided to fund renovations across the city.“This was the largest donation ever to the City of Los Angeles’ parks system and it has transformed recreation centers, and been a point of pride, for nearly every neighborhood in the City,” said Carolyn Ramsay, the Los Angeles Parks Foundation’s executive director.
Steve Ballmer: Project made basketball more accessible
Steve Ballmer said the project has made basketball courts more accessible to people across Los Angeles.“The City of L.A.'s population is almost 4 (million) people, and 98% of them live within two miles of a Clippers Community Court.
That means 3.9 (million) people have access to these courts and all of the benefits that come with them," Ballmer said on Tuesday. "With our partners at the Los Angeles Parks Foundation and L.A.’s Department of Recreation and Parks, this is a proud achievement."The renovated facilities have also served purposes beyond sports. During the Covid-19 pandemic, some were used as shelters, emergency childcare centres and alternative learning sites. Ballmer said the project was aimed at making a difference in the lives of young people. The renovated courts are also expected to support youth sports in Los Angeles ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics, which the city will host.“impact kids' lives... But if we get a few fans out of it, I’m good with that too," he said. He then added, "We're here to win championships, excite fans and help kids."