Steve Ballmer is now the new Los Angeles Clippers owner after a California court confirmed that Shelly Sterling has the authority to sell the team under the Sterling Family Trust, the NBA announced on Tuesday.

Ballmer, who purchased the franchise for $2 billion following the league's decision to ban Donald Sterling for life for his racist remarks, also confirmed the sale in a statement, saying that he is "thrilled and humbled" to be the new Clippers owner.

"I am humbled and honored to be the new owner of the Los Angeles Clippers," Ballmer said. "Clipper fans are so amazing. They have remained fiercely loyal to our franchise through some extraordinary times. I will be hard core in giving the team, our great coach, staff and players the support they need to do their best work on the court."

Shelly Sterling also expressed excitement with the development, saying that they made the right decision to sell the franchise to Ballmer and she is confident that the former Microsoft CEO will be able to lead the team to a championship in the near future.

"I am thrilled that the Clippers now have such a wonderful new owner," Sterling said via USA Today. "I am confident that Steve will bring the city a championship team in the very near future. I cannot wait for the new season to begin."

The sale also ended the uncertainties surrounding the Clippers' future as most of their players previously indicated that they would boycott their games next season if Donald Sterling will remain as team owner.

Clippers president of basketball operations and head coach Doc Rivers, who also threatened to resign if the sale had not pushed through, also expressed excitement about working with Ballmer in the near future.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported that Rivers, who still has two years left in his three-year, $21 million deal with the Clippers, could get a contract extension before the start of the 2014-15 NBA season.

"I couldn't be more excited to work together with Steve as we continue to build a first-class, championship organization," Rivers said. "I am already inspired by Steve's passion for the game, his love of competition and desire to win the right way and I know our players and fans are going to be inspired as well."

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