Los Angeles – In a statement posted to the Clippers’ X account Sunday night, owner Steve Ballmer said he accepts the NBA’s punishment for the franchise’s salary‑cap violations and expressed “sincere regrets” for the distraction caused to fans, employees and fellow owners.
Details of the penalties
The league announced on Sept. 2 that the Clippers had circumvented salary‑cap rules related to star forward Kawhi Leonard. As a result, the NBA imposed a $30 million fine on the team, stripped five first‑round draft picks (2029‑2033), and suspended Ballmer for one year from all league and team activities. Leonard himself was ordered to repay $700,000.
Ballmer’s response
Ballmer’s statement acknowledged the difficulty of the situation and apologized to the Clippers community. He emphasized that the organization will “put this chapter behind us” and has already paid the fine. While he noted ongoing disagreements with the league’s findings, he said the focus will be on building the team, investing in the community, and delivering a competitive product for fans.
“The challenges ahead of us are significant, but so is our resolve,” Ballmer added. “We will continue to build our team and invest in our community. The confidence of our fans is our priority.”
Previous stance and next steps
Earlier in September, the Clippers had vehemently rejected the NBA’s conclusions, promising to challenge the findings through arbitration. The NBA’s independent investigation, conducted over a year, described a pattern of misconduct, including offering Leonard off‑court income opportunities and paying personal expenses for him and his representatives.
The league also suspended two senior executives: Gillian Zucker, president of business operations, for one year without pay, and Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, for six months without pay. Additionally, Leonard’s uncle and former business manager, Dennis Robertson, received a five‑year ban for improper solicitation of off‑court income.
Broader context
The penalties come as the NBA’s Board of Governors prepares for meetings in New York on Monday and Tuesday. The Clippers also face a separate criminal investigation by federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York, though it remains in early stages and no charges have been announced.
Despite the setbacks, the franchise remains focused on its on‑court goals. The team recently agreed in principle to a trade that could bring Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors, pending completion after the league’s investigation concludes.
Ballmer concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the Clippers’ fans and the broader Los Angeles community, promising to uphold the organization’s standards and continue competing at the highest level.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
