Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has apologized to fans and accepted the penalties imposed by the NBA following an investigation that found salary cap violations connected to star Kawhi Leonard.
Ballmer issued a lengthy statement Sunday night, saying the franchise would comply with the league’s sanctions despite continuing to disagree with parts of the investigation’s findings.
“This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets,” Ballmer said. “I want to apologize to our fans, employees, and my fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, for which I accept responsibility as principal owner.”
An investigation by law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz found “a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations” that benefited Leonard.
According to the investigation, Leonard received $66 million in cash and equity from four companies in arrangements facilitated by Ballmer and Clippers executives at the request of Dennis Robertson, Leonard’s uncle and then-agent. Ballmer invested $60 million in Aspiration Partners, while Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance received a combined $22 million from the Clippers in consulting fees.
The NBA responded with major sanctions, banning Ballmer from league activities for one year and fining the Clippers $30 million. The franchise was also stripped of five first-round draft picks covering the 2029 through 2033 drafts.
The Clippers initially indicated they would challenge the penalties but have now decided to comply.
“We are committing to put this chapter behind us,” Ballmer said. “We have communicated to the NBA that we are complying with the penalties assessed by the league, have paid the fine and are moving forward.”
Leonard previously accepted a $700,000 fine and did not contest his sanctions.
Two senior Clippers executives were also punished. President of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended without pay for one year, while president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank received a six-month unpaid suspension.
The resolution could also clear a major obstacle surrounding Leonard’s proposed trade to the Toronto Raptors. The deal, which would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a pick swap and two second-round selections to Los Angeles, had been placed on hold pending the investigation.
“The challenges ahead of us are significant, but so is our resolve,” Ballmer said. “The confidence of our fans is our priority.”
