After the shy and retiring CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer flogged off $1.3 billion in Microsoft stock last week, rumours were rife that he planned to buy a basketball team with the cash.

There was serious speculation that he planned to buy the Sacramento Kings and move the team to Seattle. It apparently made sense, Ballmer was fond of throwing objects and making people jump through hoops.

He spearheaded a 2008 campaign to save the Sonics with a KeyArena expansion. He wanted to get King County and Seattle to match its $150 million pledge for KeyArena. He also indicated he would be willing to buy a team and move it to Seattle.

However Kings co-owner Joe Maloof told the Sacramento Business Journal the rumours were pants. He said that he has "never met Mr. Ballmer, we've had no contact with him and the team is not for sale."

We guess that Steve must be doing something else with all that money. Might we suggest investing in a go ahead Bosnian technology magazine? Actually just the social fund of the said magazine would be a great idea. [I'd be more than happy to manage the fund. sub.ed.]