Studio boss Ryan Kavanaugh is joining the growing list of potential bidders for the Los Angeles Clippers, The Post has learned.
The Relativity Media chief is teaming with Robert Greenberg, the chief executive of LA-based shoe brand Skechers, on a bid for the NBA team.
The partners, who are open to other investors coming on board with their bid, want to polish the Clippers brand and beef up the team’s marketing prowess, Greenberg told The Post.
“Ryan and I are the two partners, but we’re talking to non-financial institutions, specifically other iconic brands, figures or representatives to join in,” Greenberg said.
Calls to Kavanaugh’s office Monday weren’t returned.
Greenberg’s pursuit of the team is personal and doesn’t involve the company. Skechers said earlier this month that it was exploring a possible bid for the team but then downplayed that possibility when the stock reacted negatively to the idea.
The Clippers appeared closer to a sale on Friday with a report suggesting that embattled owner Donald Sterling had authorized his wife, Shelly, to sell the team.
Greenberg said his potential bid isn’t about punishing Sterling for his racist diatribes but rather giving the team the marketing tools to burnish its image.
“At the end of the day, this deal shouldn’t be about punishing anybody,” Greenberg said. “It should be about enhancing an LA icon.”
Greenberg and Kavanaugh would join a conga line of bidders for the team, including hedge fund manager Antony Ressler, Microsoft billionaire Steve Ballmer and an investor group headed by Magic Johnson with backing from Guggenheim Partners.
ESPN reported Sunday that Shelly Sterling had received bids from six serious parties and had spoken to Ballmer about his interest.
Oprah Winfrey is also reportedly mulling joining an investor group with media mogul David Geffen and Oracle chief Larry Ellison.
Actor Matt Damon told CNBC he’d be interested in becoming a minority owner.