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League: NBASport: BasketballCountry: United StatesCategory: Scores & Results

NBA fines Los Angeles Clippers and suspends owner Steve Ballmer

9 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 10:17 PM

Last updated Sep 4, 2026

NBA fines Los Angeles Clippers and suspends owner Steve Ballmer
Summary

The NBA issued penalties to the Los Angeles Clippers and team owner Steve Ballmer on Wednesday following findings of salary cap circumvention. The franchise received a $30 million fine and will forfeit five first-round draft picks. Ballmer is suspended for the upcoming season and barred from the Intuit Dome. Reports from a Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz investigation triggered the disciplinary action. The league scrutiny follows long-standing questions regarding team-building practices and player transactions, including the acquisition of Kawhi Leonard. The organization previously traded high-value assets and draft picks to construct its current roster, resulting in a combination of high costs and ongoing league investigation.

Source Links
Andscape.comYahoo SportsThe Washington PostAssociated PressNPR
Status Watch
  • •The Los Angeles Clippers received a $30 million fine from the NBA.
  • •Steve Ballmer is suspended for one year and prohibited from entering the Intuit Dome.
  • •The franchise will lose five first-round draft selections.
  • •The penalties stem from an investigation into salary cap circumvention.
  • •The league and the SEC are currently investigating scoreboard-related deals involving Kawhi Leonard.
Latest Updates
  • 10:17 PMAndscape.com — Clippers-Kawhi saga a win for player empowerment, a rare rebuke of NBA ownership - andscape.com
  • 6:55 PMYahoo Sports — Ex-MLB exec believes Clippers, Steve Ballmer for Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention
  • 8:25 AMYahoo Sports — Michael Wilbon feels only Steve Ballmer’s suspension is a ‘big deal’ in the LA Clippers scandal
  • 1:00 AMYahoo Sports — Brian Windhorst says NBA’s report on Clippers ‘incredibly damning’
  • 6:24 PMYahoo Sports — ‘Steve Ballmer is lucky he hasn’t been banned’: ESPN analyst calls out Clippers owner’s ‘stupidity’
  • 5:39 PMYahoo Sports — Steve Ballmer got off light while the Clippers will pay for years
  • 5:56 AMThe Washington Post — NBA levies unprecedented penalty on Clippers, team owner Steve Ballmer - The Washington Post
  • 10:03 PMAssociated Press — NBA suspends Clippers owner Ballmer, fines team $30M, Kawhi Leonard $700K in cap circumvention case - AP News
What they're saying
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The Los Angeles Clippers were hit with massive penalties after the NBA concluded its investigation into the team’s alleged salary-cap circumvention. The Clippers lost five future first-round draft picks, were fined $30 million, and owner Steve Ballmer was banned from team and league activities for a year. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst appeared on SportsCenter with Scott…

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Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was recently handed a $30 million fine and suspended from all team and league operations for one year for his involvement in salary cap circumvention on behalf of Kawhi Leonard. News of the owner’s punishment broke yesterday and has been a major topic amongst league analysts and news outlets. On the…

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The NBA’s announcement Wednesday of severe penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer for circumventing the salary cap reminded me of a defining league discussion of the past 15 years: player empowerment. Aside from LeBron James, forme…

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Los Angeles ClippersLos Angeles LakersToronto RaptorsCharlotte HornetsGolden State WarriorsNBABasketball

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