Steve Ballmer is richest team owner in world, according to Forbes

Steve Ballmer is the richest team owner in the world, according to a list released by Forbes of the world’s wealthiest billionaires.

The list has Ballmer as the 35th richest man in the world, with a net worth of $21.5 billion.

Ballmer closed the deal to buy the Clippers last August for an NBA record-setting $2 billion after former Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling was banned from the NBA for life following racially insensitive remarks that he made on an audio recording that was released to the public.

The Clippers are in fifth place in the Western Conference with a record of 39-21, only four games behind the second-place Memphis Grizzlies and eight and a half games behind the first-place Golden State Warriors.

The team had never advanced past the Western Conference semifinals.

Ballmer’s former Microsoft colleague Paul Allen is the second-richest team owner, according to Forbes. Allen, who owns the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, is the 51st richest person in the world, with a net worth of $17.5 billion, according to Forbes.

Phil Anschutz, who owns the NHL’s Kings, MLS’ Galaxy and Houston Dynamo and Staples Center is the third-richest sports owner with a net worth of $11.8 billion, according to the list.

Twitter: @melissarohlin