We’re just minutes away from finding out if NBA will return to Seattle this fall, as NBA owners are voting to possibly determine the fate of the Sacramento Kings.
But some of the chatter this morning centered on the whereabouts of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who is part of the Seattle investment team trying to buy the Kings and bring them to the Emerald City. It appears he was not seen entering the meetings in Dallas today, where investment groups from Seattle and Sacramento made their final presentations to NBA owners.
That makes sense, as Ballmer was scheduled to speak at Microsoft’s 17th annual CEO Summit in Redmond today. The Microsoft photo above was posted today, but was likely taken last night.
Chris Daniels, a reporter with our news partner KING5, is on the ground in Dallas and tweeted that he had not seen Ballmer enter the meetings.
Yes. No Ballmer sighting. Friends at @geekwire reporting he is in Redmond at Microsoft event.
— Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels5) May 15, 2013
But Hansen was there:
Chris Hansen has entered the board room. #NBAKings #NBASeattle pic.twitter.com/2Qe8qgGMam
— Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels5) May 15, 2013
We’ve reached out to Microsoft to see if Ballmer planned on flying to Dallas today and will update when we hear back. We’ll also be posting on the result of today’s vote shortly.
Previously on GeekWire: Bidding war: Hansen, Ballmer increase bid for NBA team to $625M