Steve Ballmer has abandoned any effort to challenge the NBA’s penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers, issuing a public apology and confirming the team has paid its $30 million fine, according to a statement released on the league’s website.
Considering this time “very difficult” for all associated with the Clippers, Ballmer also stated that the team is complying with the league’s sanctions for violating the salary cap circumvention rules. The NBA, which issued its ruling earlier this month, had found that the Clippers, Ballmer and top executives were part of a scheme to funnel outside income to former star forward Kawhi Leonard.
The Clippers had initially signaled they would fight the findings through arbitration, calling the NBA’s investigation biased. Ballmer’s statement released Sept. 13 takes a markedly different tone, with the owner saying he accepts responsibility “as principal owner.”
“I want to apologize to our fans, employees and my fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused,” he said. “We are committing to put this chapter behind us. 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.”
‘Support, not distract’
Ballmer’s statement stopped short of conceding the findings in the NBA’s investigation, noting that the team still has “disagreements concerning the findings in the report.” However, he said that dispute is no longer his focus. “Team owners should support, not distract,” he said.
The Clippers have also forfeited five first-round draft picks – one in each of the 2029 through 2033 NBA drafts. Ballmer has been sidelined from all league and team activities for a year, along with Gillian Zucker, president of business operations. Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, has been suspended for six months without pay. “The challenges ahead of us are significant, but so is our resolve,” Ballmer said.
