NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Confirms All-Star Game to Stay at Clippers’ Intuit Dome Amid Investigation

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has confirmed that the 2026 All-Star Game will remain at the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome, despite the league’s ongoing investigation into potential salary cap violations involving star forward Kawhi Leonard. Speaking on Monday, Silver made it clear that the midseason showcase would not be affected by the inquiry.

“There’s no contemplation of moving the All-Star Game,” Silver said. “Planning for the All-Star Game and the surrounding activities are operating completely independently of the ongoing investigation.”

The comments come after the NBA opened an investigation last month following a report by journalist Pablo Torre regarding a $28 million endorsement deal between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC, a sustainability services company that declared bankruptcy earlier this year. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer had previously invested $50 million in the firm, which also announced a $300 million partnership with the team in September 2021.

The investigation aims to determine whether the deal constituted an indirect form of salary cap circumvention, potentially giving the Clippers an unfair advantage in signing or retaining Leonard. The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement strictly limits teams from offering outside financial incentives tied to player contracts.

If found guilty of violating cap regulations, the Clippers could face severe penalties — including fines of up to $7.5 million, the voiding of player contracts, and the forfeiture of future draft picks. However, for now, the league is keeping its focus on ensuring that its marquee event proceeds as planned.

Silver made his remarks during a media appearance at NBC Sports headquarters, where he also discussed the network’s renewed partnership to broadcast NBA games starting this season. The 2026 All-Star Game, expected to feature a revamped format pitting a U.S. team against an international lineup, will be aired by NBC on February 15.

The decision to award the event to Intuit Dome was made back in January 2024, more than two years before the arena officially opened. The Clippers’ new $2 billion home, located in Inglewood, debuted for the 2024–25 season and is already scheduled to host basketball events during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Despite the cloud of scrutiny surrounding the team, Silver’s reassurance signals the NBA’s commitment to maintaining its plans for one of its premier annual spectacles — keeping the All-Star spotlight firmly on basketball, not controversy.