Clippers owner Ballmer says team will accept NBA penalties
Steve Ballmer announced the Los Angeles Clippers will comply with the league's sanctions following an investigation that found salary-cap violations involving Kawhi Leonard.
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer issued a statement Sunday apologizing to fans and acknowledging the NBA's findings of salary-cap violations. The league had imposed a $30 million fine, a one-year ban on Ballmer from league activities, and the loss of five first-round draft picks for 2029-2033 after an investigation revealed that Leonard received $66 million in cash and equity through arrangements facilitated by Ballmer and team executives.
Ballmer said the team will "put this chapter behind us" and has paid the fine, while noting that disagreements remain over the report's findings. He added that the organization will continue to build its roster and invest in the community.
The NBA also suspended two senior Clippers executives without pay: Gillian Zucker, president of business operations, for one year, and Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, for six months, citing their roles in the prohibited endorsement deals.
Kawhi Leonard, who previously accepted a $700,000 fine, had not contested the sanctions, allowing the league to enforce the penalties without arbitration. The sanctions affect the pending trade involving Leonard, as the loss of five future first-round picks reduces the Clippers' leverage in any future roster-building moves.