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Steve Ballmer is taking the NBA’s punishment after all.
The Los Angeles Clippers owner, after vowing to fight back after the league handed down a massive punishment earlier this month for cap circumvention related to Kawhi Leonard, has now reversed course and will accept the sanctions placed against him.
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The fine, he said, has been paid. And while he still has “disagreements” with the NBA’s findings, Ballmer said he just wants to be done.
“This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets,” Ballmer said in a statement. “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. 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.
“The challenges ahead of us are significant, but so is our resolve. We will continue to build our team and invest in our community. The confidence of our fans is our priority. 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.”
Clippers had vowed to fight ‘witch hunt’
The NBA handed down several significant punishments after it determined that the Clippers and Leonard did circumvent the salary cap, something that was first brought to light through a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation from the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast.
As a result, the league stripped the Clippers of five first-round draft picks, fined Ballmer $30 million and issued him a one-year ban from “all league and team activities.” Leonard was also fined $700,000 for his role in the scandal, and other Clippers employees were also penalized.
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Ballmer has long denied the allegations against him and his team, and the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/breaking-news/article/clippers-owner-steve-ballmer-accepting-nbas-punishment-after-kawhi-leonard-scandal-not-pursuing-legal-battle-030714341.html
Author : Ryan Young
Publish date : 2026-09-14 03:07:00
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