We're rooting for you, Steve-o.

Curses! Steve Ballmer and his fellow investors have almost closed a deal to bring NBA basketball back to Seattle, a city that's been bereft since the Sonics were sold. The group has already cut a deal with the current owners of the Sacramento Kings to purchase a controlling interest in the team. The only hurdle left is securing the NBA's approval.

That means the tech world is so, so close to an endless supply of court-side Ballmer GIFs. Just imagine! 

But now, it seems there's a challenge from techies to the south. Geekwire reports that a coalition has formed to keep the team in California, and it includes two Silicon Valley types: Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs and TIBCO CEO Vivek Ranadive. Ron Burkle and 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov are also involved.

The two competing cabals meet with the NBA on April 3, where each will get a chance to present their case.

These guys know that Ballmer starts hurling chairs and shouting obscenities when he doesn't get his way, right?

Y'all don't know me.

Ever since news broke that Microsoft CEO Steve "Sweaty" Ballmer is part of an investment group working on buying Seattle its very own NBA team, the high profile tech company has been forced to fend off angry Sacramento Kings fans who blame it for the loss of their beloved franchise.

Mr. Ballmer and his co-investors want desperately to buy the Kings and convert them into the Seattle Sonics, because even with all the rain, Seattle is still less depressing than Sacramento. Though Mr. Ballmer has not yet convinced his fellow investors to name the team the Ballmer Ballers, Kings fans are still directing their ire at Microsoft, which they believe has some sort of say in the deal.

In fact, Sacramento was so angry about losing their basketball team that a local politician wrote a letter blasting Mr. Ballmer's decision to rob the state of a profitable, job-creating franchise. Now, according to Geekwire, Microsoft has been forced to issue its own statement pointing out that hey, actually Mr. Ballmer is doing this one all on his own.

"The effort to build a new professional sports arena in Seattle was initiated and is led by San Francisco-based developer, Chris Hansen, who has announced a number of investors, including Steve Ballmer," reads the statement. "Microsoft Corporation is not involved in the effort."

The company added, "Na na na na na."