Challenges in the Life of Steve Ballmer in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Steve Ballmer faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Steve Ballmer is an American businessman best known for his tenure as CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014. During his leadership, Microsoft navigated the dot-com bubble burst and shifted towards cloud computing. He is recognized for his energetic and passionate presentations. Beyond Microsoft, Ballmer owns the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team. He is also a co-founder of Ballmer Group, a philanthropic organization focusing on social mobility and community development.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 2000: Called Linux "communism"

In July 2000, Steve Ballmer referred to the free software Linux kernel as "communism" and claimed it infringed on Microsoft's intellectual property.

2000: Ballmer Becomes CEO

In 2000, Bill Gates was glad Steve Ballmer became CEO so he could focus on technology, but the Wall Street Journal reported there was tension surrounding the transition of authority.

June 2001: Called Linux a "cancer"

In June 2001, Steve Ballmer described Linux as a "cancer that attaches itself in an intellectual property sense to everything it touches."

2001: Comments on Linux

In 2001, Steve Ballmer made comments about Linux that he later said were correct at the time.

April 2003: Plead with Mayor of Munich not to switch to Linux

In April 2003, Steve Ballmer interrupted his skiing holiday in Switzerland to personally plead with the mayor of Munich not to switch to Linux, but he did not succeed.

2004: Chair-throwing incident after Lucovsky leaves for Google

In 2004, Mark Lucovsky reported that Steve Ballmer threw a chair across his office and vowed to "kill Google" after Lucovsky announced he was leaving Microsoft for Google.

2005: Microsoft sued Google for hiring Kai-Fu Lee

In 2005, Microsoft sued Google for hiring its former vice president, Kai-Fu Lee, alleging violation of his non-compete clause.

2007: Prediction about iPhone Market Share

In 2007, Steve Ballmer stated, "There's no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance."

March 6, 2008: Commitment to invest in KeyArena renovation and purchase SuperSonics

On March 6, 2008, Seattle mayor Greg Nickels announced that a local ownership group involving Steve Ballmer made a commitment to invest $150 million in cash toward a proposed $300 million renovation of KeyArena and were ready to purchase the Seattle SuperSonics, but this initiative failed.

2009: Criticism of Apple's pricing

In 2009, at a conference in NYC, Steve Ballmer criticized Apple's pricing strategy, suggesting that consumers would find it challenging to pay an extra $500 for a computer with just a logo.

2011: Remarks at Web 2.0 Summit about Windows Phone and Android

During the 2011 Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco, Steve Ballmer stated that a computer science background wasn't necessary to use a Windows Phone, unlike an Android phone, and expressed a lack of excitement for Android phones.

May 2012: Call for Ballmer to Step Down

In May 2012, hedge fund manager David Einhorn called on Steve Ballmer to step down as CEO of Microsoft.

January 9, 2013: Attempt to Purchase Sacramento Kings

On January 9, 2013, Steve Ballmer and Chris Hansen led an investor group's attempt to purchase the Sacramento Kings for an estimated $650 million, aiming to relocate the team to Seattle, but this attempt also fell through.

2013: Regret over lack of focus on Windows Mobile

In 2013, Steve Ballmer expressed regret over the lack of focus on Windows Mobile in the early 2000s, acknowledging Microsoft's distant third position in the smartphone market. He also attributed the success of iPhones to carrier subsidies.

2013: Ballmer Named One of the Worst CEOs

In 2013, Steve Ballmer was named one of the worst CEOs by the BBC.

October 2014: Strained Relationship with Bill Gates

In October 2014, a few months after Steve Ballmer left Microsoft, it was reported that he and Bill Gates no longer talked to each other due to animosity over Ballmer's resignation.

December 24, 2014: IRS Sues Ballmer and others over Microsoft's tax audit

On December 24, 2014, the Seattle Times reported that the IRS sued Steve Ballmer, along with other executives, in an effort to compel them to testify in Microsoft's corporate tax audit, which was looking into transfer pricing.

2015: Called Microsoft's investment in Apple the "craziest thing"

In 2015, when Apple had become the world's most valuable company, Steve Ballmer called Microsoft's 1997 decision to invest in Apple to save it from bankruptcy as the "craziest thing we ever did".

November 2016: Ballmer Comments on Relationship with Gates

In a November 2016 interview, Steve Ballmer stated that he and Bill Gates have "drifted apart" ever since his resignation from Microsoft.

2016: Revisited iPhone statements

In 2016, Steve Ballmer revisited his earlier statements about the iPhone, explaining that his initial concern was the high price of $600–$700, and he didn't anticipate that carriers would incorporate the cost into monthly bills.

2021: ProPublica documented tax strategies

In 2021, ProPublica reported that Steve Ballmer is using his ownership of various sports teams as a means to lower his federal income tax, compared to around 35% for the athletes playing in the team.

2023: Report on Tax Advantaged Loss Harvesting

In 2023, ProPublica reported on Steve Ballmer's usage of wash sales helped by Goldman Sachs, under the label "Tax Advantaged Loss Harvesting", resulting in tax savings of more than half a billion dollars over 5 years