LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 02: Owner Steve Ballmer of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates after the Clippers defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game Seven of the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 2, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 111-109 to win the series four games to three. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

If any major pro sports owner is going to make waves with a streaming rights deal, it makes sense that it would be Steve Ballmer.

The longtime Microsoft man and current owner of the Los Angeles Clippers is currently in negotiations with cable channel Fox Sports Prime Ticket that would allow him to keep streaming rights for the franchise. Such a deal would be the first of it’s kind for any pro franchise amongst the NBA, NFL, NHL, or MLB.

The broadcast deal between the Clippers and Prime Ticket expired in June and Ballmer requested that the new deal split TV and streaming rights. The broadcast responded with a “take it or leave it” two-year deal that would give them television rights but let him keep streaming. According to the NY Post, Ballmer is expected to accept the offer and the NBA is expected to approve it.

The one condition is apparently that the Clippers will only be allowed to offer streaming services to Prime Ticket customers. The NBA also retains out-of-market streaming rights for itself.

It’s a very forward-thinking strategy for Ballmer and one that is likely to be emulated if successful. Streaming audiences are growing at a steady pace and siphoning a noticeable chunk of viewers away from TVs (just ask NBC). With so many sports networks offering OTT streaming services and leagues getting into bed with companies like Twitter and Facebook for streaming broadcasts, it’ll be interesting to see what monetary returns the Clippers can make and what moves Ballmer can make to be a leader in the world of team streaming services.

We’d tell Steve not to get too excited just yet but we know that’s hard for him.

[NY Post/Fortune]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

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