Steve Ballmer to comply with Clippers' penalties: 'I have sincere regrets'

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said the team will comply with the penalties handed down by the NBA for salary cap circumvention, he announced in a statement Sunday, Sept. 13. A league-backed investigation that spanned 11 months concluded the Clippers circumvented the salary cap with its al

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Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said the team will comply with the penalties handed down by the NBA for salary cap circumvention, he announced in a statement Sunday, Sept. 13.

A league-backed investigation that spanned 11 months concluded the Clippers circumvented the salary cap with its alleged facilitation of "no-show" endorsement deals for Kawhi Leonard, their former star forward.

In his statement, Ballmer said the Clippers will not pursue any legal action against the league.

"This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets," Ballmer's statement read. "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.

"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."

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer celebrates with Derrick Jones Jr. after the Clippers defeated the Denver Nuggets at Intuit Dome on February 19, 2026, in Inglewood, California.

Following the conclusion of its investigation, the NBA announced that the Clippers would lose five future first-round draft picks and a $30 million fine. Ballmer, along with team executives, also received a suspension.

Ballmer and Lawrence Frank, the team's president of basketball operations, had continuously expressed their innocence publicly during this past season.

Kawhi Leonard was fined $700,000 for restitution related to covered personal expenses, but the star player was not suspended for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

Leonard's status with the Clippers remains unclear for the upcoming season. He's expected to be traded by Los Angeles to the Toronto Raptors in a deal that was put on hold pending the results of the NBA investigation.

Ballmer's statement comes as the NBA's board of governors get set to start meetings in New York this week. The U.S. Department of Justice also has reportedly opened a criminal inquiry into the Clippers' dealings with Leonard.