The money went to education, Ballmer told him. That led to the topic of inequity in schools, which led to racial injustices felt nationwide. Helping find solutions for such systemic issues had become the “life’s work” for Ballmer and his wife, Connie, Rivers was told. It was unlike any conversation Rivers had with a team owner in his previous three decades in the NBA. “Wow,” Rivers recalled thinking. “This guy is really invested.”