- NBA suspends Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer for one year as part of sanctions for violating salary cap circumvention rules related to star player Kawhi Leonard.
- The Clippers were fined $30 million and will forfeit five first-round draft picks from 2029 to 2033 due to the violations.
- Kawhi Leonard was fined $700,000 for violating circumvention rules by obtaining off-court income opportunities with the Clippers' assistance.
- The NBA's investigation found that Leonard pressured the Clippers to assist him in obtaining off-court income opportunities.
- Following the ruling, Leonard's avoidance of suspension clears the way for the trade to be completed.
- The Clippers and Raptors agreed to a trade involving Leonard on June 30, but it was put on hold on July 9 pending the outcome of the NBA investigation.
- NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated in September 2025 that he has 'very broad power' to levy penalties against franchises.
The NBA has imposed severe penalties on the Los Angeles Clippers, suspending owner Steve Ballmer for one year and fining the team $30 million for salary cap violations linked to star player Kawhi Leonard.23
The league's investigation revealed that Leonard pressured the Clippers to assist him in securing off-court income opportunities, which he failed to reimburse. Leonard was fined $700,000 for these infractions, while his uncle, Dennis Robertson, received a five-year ban from NBA business dealings.4
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his disappointment, stating, “The severity of the penalties reflects the seriousness of the violations.” The Clippers will also forfeit five first-round draft picks from 2029 to 2033 and will be subject to a five-year compliance program overseen by the league.7
The sanctions follow a pattern of misconduct, including previous violations under Ballmer's ownership. In 2015, the Clippers faced penalties for offering unauthorized business opportunities to players.
The investigation, which lasted 11 months, highlighted a deal involving the now-defunct financial services company Aspiration, which had ties to Ballmer. The contract signed by Leonard included clauses that allowed him to receive payments without performing work, raising further concerns about compliance with league rules.
The Clippers' leadership, including President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker and President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank, also faced suspensions for their roles in the violations.
The league's actions underscore the importance of adhering to salary cap regulations, which are vital for maintaining competitive balance in the NBA.
“The league also suspended Clippers president of business operations Gillian Zucker for one year and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank for six months, while Leonard's uncle Dennis Robertson was banned from NBA business for five years. The penalties stem from an 11-month investigation into 'no-show' endorsement deals with Aspiration, which filed for bankruptcy in March 2025.”
CNBC
