Steve Ballmer
Awards & Honours
3
Awards Won
5
Honours
5
Rankings
5
Covers
2
Records
Ballmer's achievements span business, sports, and philanthropy. As Microsoft CEO, he tripled the company's revenue to $78 billion and oversaw the launch of the Xbox, which became a cornerstone of the gaming industry. His ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers transformed the franchise, culminating in the opening of the $2 billion Intuit Dome in 2024. Through the Ballmer Group, he has committed over $5 billion to charitable causes, focusing on economic mobility and early childhood education. In 2025, he was named NBA Executive of the Year, reflecting his impact on the team's culture and performance.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
Detroit Country Day School Hall of Fame
Inducted for academic and athletic achievements.
Harvard University Commencement Speaker
Delivered the commencement address.
Honorary Doctorate
Honorary doctorate degree.
Honorary Doctorate
Honorary doctorate degree.
NBA All-Star Game Host Committee Chair
Chaired the host committee for the 2024 All-Star Game in conjunction with the Intuit Dome opening.
Rankings & Lists
Forbes Billionaires List
Bloomberg Billionaires Index
Forbes Most Powerful People
Time 100 Most Influential People
Sports Business Journal Most Influential People in Sports
Magazine Covers
Time
January 14, 2002
Microsoft's New Boss: Steve Ballmer
Forbes
April 28, 2008
The World's Richest People
Bloomberg Businessweek
September 20, 2012
Ballmer's Last Stand
Sports Illustrated
August 11, 2014
The New Boss: Steve Ballmer and the Clippers
Fortune
Multiple covers during his Microsoft tenure
Records & Feats
Largest NBA franchise purchase at the time
Purchased the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion in 2014, the highest price ever paid for an NBA team.
First Microsoft employee to receive 8% ownership
Joined Microsoft in 1980 as the 30th employee and received 8% of the company, which later made him a billionaire.