Report: With sale complete, Ballmer and Rivers to talk extension

Just weeks ago, it appeared as if Doc Rivers was ready to step down as head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers if Donald Sterling remained in place as the team's owner.

Fast-forward to Tuesday, and the Clippers' sale has closed, with Steve Ballmer in place as the team's new owner. Not only was Rivers pleased, calling it "an amazing day in Clippers history," he appears ready to back that sentiment up with a long-term commitment.

According to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Rivers and Ballmer are expected to begin discussing a contract extension shortly.

From the report:

Ballmer and Rivers had been eager to forge a long-term partnership, and a California court confirming the authority of Shelly Sterling to sell the franchise on behalf of the Sterling Family Trust has cleared the way to work toward a new deal.

Rivers, 52, the president of basketball operations and head coach, has two years left on his original three-year, $21 million contract. Rivers is already one of the highest-paid executives and coaches in professional sports, and his prominence and pay could grow with the promise of Ballmer's stewardship of the Clippers.

Considering Rivers still has three years left, an extension would be largely symbolic, though he may see a bump in salary to reflect his new post as president of basketball operations.

Ahead of last season, Rivers was ranked by Forbes as the seventh-highest paid coach in sports and the highest paid outside of the NFL. With the Detroit Pistons Stan Van Gundy matching his salary this offseason, the team may also want to push Rivers back up to the position of highest paid NBA coach as a token of recognition.

Rivers is one of the most well-respected coaches in the league and is generally thought to be a magnet for attracting veteran players, making him a key recruiter along with his coaching duties.