Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers are now moving forward under the NBA’s penalties after a year-long fight over the league’s findings tied to Kawhi Leonard and the deal with Aspiration.
Ballmer released a statement saying he and the organization will comply with the punishments, a notable shift after the Clippers initially pushed back against them. The change in stance comes after Ballmer and his legal team apparently ran through the available options and found no path around the league’s ruling.
The penalties are significant. The Clippers were hit with a $30 million fine and a year-long suspension for Ballmer.
Gillian Zucker, the team’s president of business operations, and Lawrence Frank, the president of basketball operations, also received suspensions. The harshest blow, though, is the loss of first-round picks from 2029 through 2033.
Ballmer said the team still disagrees with parts of the report, but he does not want to keep the issue in the spotlight.
"This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets. 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," Ballmer said in his statement about accepting the NBA's punishments.
"While there are still disagreements concerning the findings in the report, this is not where I want to focus. Team owners should support, not distract... With our talented roster, outstanding staff and clear vision, I am certain that we will compete at the highest level and be an organization our fans can be proud of."
For the Clippers, the immediate reality is simple: they have to absorb the fallout and keep building with what remains. The organization still plans to keep pushing for a better place in the Western Conference, but the damage from these penalties could hang over the next few seasons.
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