File of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, his wife Shelly attending the NBA basketball game in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling (C), his wife Shelly (L) attend the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, in this December 22, 2008 file photo. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok/Files

Shelly Sterling will be accepting offers from potential buyers of the Los Angeles Clippers this week. Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO, is apparently one of the most prospective buyers of the NBA team after making "a very competitive offer."

TMZ Sports earlier reported that Ballmer met with Sterling at her home in Malibu on May 25. The NBA reportedly wanted the Clippers to be sold. Sterling apparently wants to sell the team on her own terms. Pierce O'Donnell, Sterling's lawyer, has been accompanying her on her secret visits with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Sterling seems to come to an agreement that she is given the right to sell the Clippers voluntarily.

According to TMZ, Sterling wants to finalize the deal this week itself. Silver is reportedly aware of the advances as he is apparently quite in line with what Sterling intends to do.

Ballmer has already indicated he is willing to buy the team. But some Clippers fans may be apprehensive about Ballmer's family ties in the north. Some of them fear that the team may be moved to another city. The $20 billion man publicly said that he would keep the team in Los Angeles itself in case he bought it. But he is deeply attached to Seattle. So one cannot deny the possibilities.

Even though Ballmer may look like a strong contender for buying the team, he is expected to face tough competitions from Grant Hill Group, which is owned by the former NBA star backed by investment partners.

Magic Johnson, whom Donald Sterling accused of having "immoral" intention of buying the team, and Chicago financial group, the Guggenheim Partners, are also in the contention. Other potential buyers include surgeon turned businessman Patrick Soon-Shiong and David Geffen and Larry Ellison. According to reports, Oprah is no longer interested to buy the team.

The Clippers may fetch a price anything more than $1.5 billion.