Steve Ballmer has won the bidding for the Los Angeles Clippers with a record $2 billion offer, according to the LA Times. The former Microsoft CEO reached a deal with Shelly Sterling (Donald’s estranged wife), who is rushing to sell the team before potentially losing her ownership next week.

If the deal goes through (it’s been fast-tracked to the NBA for review), could Ballmer—who served as CEO of Microsoft and still lives in Seattle—move the team?

There’s reason to think that he would.

• Ballmer publicly fought Clay Bennett’s 2008 painful relocation of the Sonics to Oklahoma City.
• He’s offered several times to put up his own money to build a new arena in Seattle.
• He even explicitly bid for the Sacramento Kings last year in hopes of moving them to town.

And about 20% of NBA relocations—beginning decades ago, when the Philadelphia Warriors moved to San Francisco—have involved an owner wanting the team to play in his backyard.

But sorry, Seattle fans: Ballmer has maintained that he would keep the Clippers in Los Angeles.

That may be a PR gambit; Ballmer still needs to win support from the NBA’s board of governors, who vetoed his Kings move and likely want to keep the Clippers in Los Angeles. After all, Seattle’s vacant basketball arena is an incredible bargaining chip—for every other NBA owner trying to negotiate with their own city. (“Milwaukee doesn’t want to give us tax breaks and public money? We’ll move the team—the Seattle StarBucks have a nice ring.”)

But keeping the Clippers in Los Angeles makes plenty of financial sense for Ballmer, too.

The franchise already plays in the nation’s second-largest media market—and is ascendant while the Lakers are in decline. The team has nine years left on its lease with the Staples Center, Ramona Shelburne reports.

And as Ballmer put it to the Wall Street Journal earlier this month, moving the franchise anywhere could be “value destructive.”

WSJ: So you wouldn’t move the Clippers to Seattle?

Ballmer: If I get interested in the Clippers, it would be for Los Angeles. I don’t work anymore, so I have more geographic flexibility than I did a year, year-and-a half ago. Moving them anywhere else would be value destructive.

Contrast that with the NBA’s other recent major franchise relocations: They were mostly about creating new value because so much had already been lost.

When the Vancouver Grizzlies moved to Memphis, it was because the team was losing money—almost $40 million in their final year in Canada. When the Charlotte Hornets moved to New Orleans, it was because attendance had virtually disappeared.

Of course, there’s one major exception: The last time Seattle was involved. And although Clay Bennett said that he wanted to keep the Sonics in Seattle, shocking emails later revealed that he planned to move the team to Oklahoma City all along.

But even on the day Bennett acquired the team, he publicly gave himself an out clause: He maintained that Seattle needed to build him a new arena to keep the team in town. And Seattle’s Key Arena was 44 years old when Bennett bought the Sonics.

Los Angeles’ Staples Center just turned 16. It’s a nice—and profitable—place to play.

Paul George keeps Pacers alive against Miami Heat with huge fourth quarter

Indiana Pacers' Paul George against Miami Heat's LeBron James during game five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Photograph: Brian Spurlock/USA Today Sports...

 Paul George scored 31 of his 37 points in the second half, including 21 in the fourth quarter, and almost single-handedly kept the Indiana Pacers alive in the NBA's Eastern Conference finals with a 93-90 victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday.

The Pacers still trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 will be played Friday night in Miami.

It took a frantic effort just to extend the series, even with the foul-plagued LeBron James held to just seven points in 23 minutes. Chris Bosh led the Heat with 20 points, but missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing seconds.

Indiana turned a 50-41 deficit into a 64-57 lead after three quarters, then led by as many as 11 in the fourth. Miami's last-ditch rally made it 91-90 with 16 seconds to go, but Indiana managed to hold on to force a Game 6.

George's 21 fourth-quarter points were the most ever scored in one quarter of a playoff game against Miami. The previous best was 20 by the Bulls' Michael Jordan in May 1997.

"We just played. Our backs are against the wall right now so that's all we can do," George said. "We were in a position that if we lost this game, we're going home so I think that was in the backs of everybody's minds."

David West added 19 points for the Pacers and Roy Hibbert had 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Miami will now try to clinch its fourth straight Eastern Conference title at home.

The Pacers played like a desperate team trying to save their season. They chased shooters all over the floor, ran down loose balls, even put themselves in harm's way. Lance Stephenson appeared to hurt his left shoulder in the third quarter after a hard fall and still finished the game.

Until George came alive in the second half, it looked like the Heat would close out the series with a fourth straight win.

But unlike Game 2, when the Pacers couldn't stop Dwyane Wade and James late, the Pacers fended off the closing charge from the two-time defending champs barely.

George's incredible ability to hit big shot after big shot and a defense that refused to give the lead away late eventually saved the Pacers, and only after they twice failed to take advantage of James' absence in the first half. The Pacers finally figured it out midway through the third.

"I just felt it. I felt in rhythm. I had to be aggressive," George said. "I tried to come out and be aggressive to start this game off and I was getting looks. I got hot."

Has a Common Linnet flown away? Where is Waylon?

Dutch country duo The Common Linnets may have had Eurovision success  but one half of the team, Waylon, has since disappeared from the limelight, according to Dutch entertainment media.

Ilse DeLange has performed with another singer at promotional events in Belgium and Vienna over the past week, and on Tuesday Waylon was not there to meet fans in Berlin either, the Telegraaf reports.

His management says Waylon 'does not wish to comment on all that is happening now', the paper says.

History

The Telegraaf points out that the singer has a history of drink and drugs abuse which have put him out of action in the past for several days at a time. Nor has Waylon been active on Twitter for the past week.However, his management have dismissed drug or drink allegations, saying 'that is from five years ago', Nos television says.

Co-writer

DeLange is now touring Europe promoting The Common Linnets album with American musician Jake Etheridge. Etheridge co-wrote the Eurovision hit Calm after the Storm, Nos television says.

Calm after the Storm came second in the song contest and is now a hit in 20 countries, making it the most successful Dutch Eurovision entry ever.According to Nos television, DeLange says The Common Linnets is not a duo but a platform for her to express herself.

Meanwhile, a hunt for Waylon has been launched on Twitter using the hashtag #waariswaylon.

State of Origin: Player ratings from game one of the 2014 series at Suncorp Stadium

WE reveal the studs and duds from game one of the 2014 State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium....

1. Billy Slater — Who had questions over Slater’s form? Slater made an exceptional start at fullback and was their best all night with crucial attacking plays and defensive stops. Perhaps wishes he threw the final pass at the death.

2. Darius Boyd — Forget whatever Boyd does at club level, when he wears Maroon he is as classy finisher this arena has ever seen. Two tries last night takes him to 14 for Queensland, second only to Inglis. Could’ve had three, if only.

Darius Boyd scores Queensland. Source: News Corp Australia...

3. Greg Inglis — The plan to get GI the ball took almost an hour to eventuate, but when he got it the superstar put Boyd across for his second try. Inglis was strong in defence and when Maroons needed a lift he stepped up to the plate. They need more from him in Game Two. 

4. Justin Hodges — If Hodges had a dodgy ankle, he wasn’t showing it. The Blues negated his work out of dummy half early but as the match wore on this veteran came into his own.

5. Brent Tate — If there is a busier winger in Origin I’ve never seen him. Tate threw the final pass for Boyd’s opening try, split his head early then was tipped on it. That was all in the first half hour.

6. Johnathan Thurston — Was tormented by Jarryd Hayne all night in defence in a deliberate plan by the Blues. Tried his best all night and lifted when the Maroons needed to mount a fightback, but didn’t have the fluency in attack Queensland wanted at the death.

Johnathan Thurston takes on Tony Williams. Source: News Corp Australia...

7. Cooper Cronk — Broke his arm in the opening 10 minutes and immediately called for his understudy Daly Cherry-Evans to take the field. His early departure disrupted the Maroons game plan. 

8. Matt Scott — The Blues did a job on him. Constantly in his face early, never allowed him to get on the front foot. Stopping Scott was a major factor in NSW getting the win.

9. Cameron Smith — Didn’t have the same influence on the game as we’ve come to know from the skipper and the Blues were constantly into the referees about his tactics. Still had a game high 46 tackles and fought on with a bad ankle injury.

10. Nate Myles — Was Queensland’s best forward, even produced a handy kick in the first half, but still threw a needless offload early that robbed Queensland of an attacking chance. Worked his tail off and led the way for the Maroons when the charge was coming.

18. Chris McQueen — For a man with a defensive reputation, his early line break running a good line was brilliant. Worked hard all night but was rarely sighted in attack after his first touch. 

Cooper Cronk injured on the sideline during game one. Source: News Corp Australia...

12. Matt Gillett — Hardly touched the ball in the first half and when he did made a costly mistake hitting the line at speed for what could have been a four-pointer. Queensland missed Sam Thaiday and will hopefully welcome him back for Game Two.

13. Corey Parker — Just trailed Myles as Queensland’s best forward and was always involved in the action. Had a bit of niggle with the man wearing No. 13 for the Blues. Queensland needed to play off his offloads but pulled the trigger on the second phase play too late. 

Josh Reynolds was placed on report after a dangerous lifting tackle on Queensland's Brent Tate in Origin one, which sparked tensions between both sides...

14. Daly Cherry-Evans — Got a start before he expected, but oozed confidence from his very first touch. A bit of miscommunication in attack but now is his time, he needs to save the series for Queensland in Game Two.

15. Ben Te’o — Didn’t see any first half action and tried to get involved when he came on, but was too often ignored as a decoy runner. When he got the ball he looked a likely gamebreaker, but the Blues defence was rock solid.

16. Aidan Guerra — Adapted to this level like a wily veteran and never once backed down with numerous battles with Paul Gallen. Like the look of him in Maroon, he will be here for years to come. 

Josh Reynolds is tackled by Aidan Guerra. Source: News Corp Australia.

17. Josh Papalii — Forced to play in the middle as first replacement for Matt Scott and did plenty of hard yards in defence. Yet to see him really deliver with ball in hand which is what he has been selected to produce. 

NEW SOUTH WALES:

1. Jarryd Hayne — He was the difference. Queensland knew he was the biggest threat but they couldn’t stop the superstar as he set up one try, scored another and tormented Queensland all night long.

2. Brett Morris — Forget the early slip, or Boyd’s second try, and remember that final tackle on Boyd in the 74th minute that stopped Boyd’s hat-trick. That saved the night for the Blues and showed his courage after dislocating his shoulder scoring himself in the first half. 

3. Michael Jennings — An ever present danger, but the Blues ran most of their attack in the opposite direction so his speed never really came into play. 

Jarryd Hayne put in a man-of-the-match showing for the Blues. Source: News Corp Australia.

4. Josh Morris — Brilliant trysaver on Aidan Guerra in the second half that snuffed out a major Maroons chance. Set up his brother in the first half and handled the threat of Inglis for most the night.

5. Daniel Tupou — Never got a chance to show his aerial skills close to the line, but was not out of place elsewhere in the game. Safe as houses when the Maroons tried to go at him and will no doubt grow into a very dangerous Origin player.

Leaked Tape Allegedly Shows One Direction Members Smoking Pot

 

The band stopped in Lima for their 'Where We Are' tour on April 27...

The Daily Mail has published footage of two members of the British boy-band One Direction allegedly smoking marijuana while on their way to a performance in Peru. The video features Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik sitting in the back of an SUV, passing back and forth what Tomlinson can be heard calling a “joint.”

The five-minute clip is apparently shot and narrated by Tomlinson as the singers drive through Lima to the Estadio Nacional, where the band performed April 27 on their ‘Where We Are’ tour. During the footage, the two singers can be heard joking around as the camera zooms in on a passing police officer. Tomlinson, 22, can be heard saying, “He’s having a look. He’s thinking. I’m sure I can smell an illegal substance in there. And he’s hit the nail on the head.”

Tomlinson also says of his bandmate, “One very, very important factor of Zayn’s warm up, of course, is Mary J., herself.” The footage then shows Tomlinson passing what appears to be a joint to Malik, 21, before asking, “How is it, Zayn?” After exhaling a cloud of smoke, Malik replies, “Nice.”

One Direction’s three other members, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Niall Horan, don’t appear in the video. A spokesman for the band toldthe Guardian that he has no further comment on the video, adding, “This matter is in the hands of our lawyers.”

Near the end of the footage, Tomlinson says, “I’m sitting here in Peru wondering, Will this come back to me? Who knows? Maybe.”

Coldplay bring fireworks to Radio 1's One Big Weekend in Glasgow

Cold Play headed up Radio 1's One Big Weekend last night (May 24) with a fireworks-filled set in front of a 25,000-strong Glaswegian crowd, playing their first UK show of the year in support of new album 'Ghost Stories'. 

Friday had seen performances from DJs Tiësto, Martin Garrix and Pete Tong at George Square, but the action moved to Glasgow Green yesterday for the main event. Opening with 'Paradise', frontman Chris Martin told fans "I've been watching all day and I've never seen a crowd so good. Just give us the last of your energy." The crowd lapped up the likes of 'Charlie Brown', 'Clocks' and 'Viva La Vida'. Martin joked with the crowd about how, "a lot of people when they come to Scotland try to ingratiate themselves with the local audience, but we don't believe in that," whilst opening a can of Irn-Bru. He also repeatedly snuck in a few bars of One Direction's 'Best Song Ever' - once during the outro of 'Clocks' and then again during the closing 'Fix You', during which he also engaged in the popular Glaswegian chant of "Here we fucking go", albeit softening the words to "here we got to go".

Earlier in the day, One Direction themselves got things underway amidst the usual choruses of screams, but The Kooks - who were playing the In New Music We Trust stage at the same time - still managed to draw a respectable crowd. their set mixed old favourites like 'Ooh La' and 'She Moves in Her Own Way' with a handful of tracks from forthcoming new album 'Listen', including 'Around Town', for which they enlisted the help of a local female choir. Following them was 17 year-old Kiwi sensation Lorde, who still made space for debut single 'Royals' despite describing the songs as "horrible" in an interview with the Scottish Daily Record a few days earlier. "It's so mental to me that I could be in Glasgow, so far away from where I live," she said, before re-emerging during the climax of 'Team' sporting a flowing gold lamé cape.

Over on the main stage, Pharrell drew a huge crowd, sporting an outsized fedora and taking the stage to Daft Punk's 'Lose Yourself To Dance' alongside a troupe of female dancers. His hit-heavy set mixed tracks from new album 
'Girl' with older collaborations, including 'Drop It Like It’s Hot', 'Hollaback Girl', 'Blurred Lines' and, of course, 'Get Lucky'. Jake Bugg said very little during his 40-minute performance but kept the crowd happy with the likes of 'Trouble Town', 'Taste It' and a stunning 'Broken'. Clashing with him on the In New Music We Trust stage was Bombay Bicycle Club, who managed to pack the tent out, and dedicated closing track 'Carry Me' to "all of our friends at the Glasgow School of Art", whose world-famous Mackintosh building was engulfed in flames on Friday.

One of the day's most hotly-anticipated acts was Lily Allen, making her first festival appearance in five years. Taking the stage wearing huge mirrored sunglasses and dancing in a pair of hot pink stiletto heels, Allen's set passed largely without incident, the only hint of mischief coming when she confessed to the crowd that, "I've got a night off from my kids tonight, so I'm gonna get drunk!"

The setlist was a mix of old and new, with tracks like 'Sheezus' and 'Air Balloon' getting big responses from the crowd. Like Lorde, Allen also played a song she had previously been disparaging about - her cover of Keane's 'Somewhere Only We Know' - albeit in a shortened form. She also dedicated 'Littlest Things' to fellow performer Calvin Harris, who she said she felt "sad" for because he wouldn’t get to see his girlfriend, Rita Ora, who plays today. She also revealed that she bumped into One Direction backstage, saying, "God, they're cool, aren't they? Harry [Styles] gave me a kiss!"

One Big Weekend continues today, with performances by Kings Of Leon, Katy Perry, Paolo Nutini, Kasabian and Chvrches to come. 

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West married in two-day celebration of celebrity branding and bling

 If fame is a profession, these two are the CEOs. Now they are merging – sorry, marrying...

 He's an internationally acclaimed rap artist with a reputation for looking glum. She's famous for being famous. And this weekend, Kanye West and reality television superstar Kim Kardashian were married in a two-day celebration of celebrity branding, bling, a blaze of paparazzi flashbulbs and internet obsession.

Celebrity correspondents have breathlessly reported that the "super-arrogant rapper" said: "Kim's more beautiful than I am talented". And if that isn't love, I'm not sure what is.

Don't worry if you're not sure who Kanye West or Kim Kardashian are, or why you should care. The "celebrity wedding of the year" is the celebrity story of the day and, as such, we bring you its salient details, which may be discarded tomorrow morning.

Is it to everyone's taste?

Sadly, there is no escape. The world's media flocked to Florence yesterday for the wedding, as a private army of security guards attempted to keep paparazzi outside the walls of the beautiful 16th-century fort the couple had hired.

Tight security, a ban on camera phone-happy guests and a paucity of actual news didn't stop countless rumour-laden (ahem, probably fabricated) reports publishing all sorts of poorly sourced "details" and "revelations" on the secretive event. Interest was so high on Friday night that apparently a no-fly zone was established over the couple's pre-wedding party at the Palace de Versailles in Paris.

If you're interested in the backstory, we should explain that self-declared romantic Kanye proposed to Kim in an empty basketball stadium in October 2013, later shown during an episode of Kim's show.

Still don't care about this fairy-tale romance? Did we mention Kim "featured" in a 2003 sex tape with singer Ray J, and that Kanye has been criticised for fetishising women in his videos? Well, perhaps best gloss over that, except to say Kim shook off the trashy reputation when she graced the cover of American Vogue earlier this year and firmly established the high-end credentials of the Kardashian Inc business empire.

Will it all end in tiers?

Details of the wedding are few, but an exclusive Independent on Sunday source in Florence (a chap we met on holiday) said the city was "hectic with preparations" yesterday.

Other sources told the Italian press that somewhere from 100 to 3,000 guests started arriving from 2pm yesterday at the Forte di Belvedere. Further investigation (watching the Kardashian clan's Twitter and Instagram feeds) suggests guests flew by commercial jet to Florence for the ceremony. The couple reportedly paid €300,000 (£250,000)to hire the venue, with Kanye telling local media that the couple's 11-month-old daughter North West was conceived in the Renaissance city. A blurry snap of the dress suggests the work of the haute Parisian label Givenchy.

That's perhaps too much information, but bride and groom exchanged vows on the lawn, guests dressed in black, in front of a Protestant minister whom they handily brought with them, according to the Italian paper Corriere della Sera.

The guests did not include supposed best man Jay-Z and wife Beyoncé, who cruelly posted an Instagram image of herself at home with braided hair.

The Independent on Sunday contacted Kim's publicist regarding the rumours and dubious claims in this article, but did not receive a reply.