Clippers owner Steve Ballmer won't fight NBA on Kawhi Leonard ruling

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer smiles while talking to a reporter during an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Los Angeles. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo) INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer won't fight the NBA's salary cap circumvention punishment in a reversal of the team's initial defiance and vow to fight against what it called “a heavily biased investigation.”

In his first public comments since the NBA announced a sweeping punishment against the Clippers this month, Ballmer said in a statement posted online Sunday night that the team would comply with the penalties handed down by the league.

The league suspended Ballmer for one year, fined the team $30 million and forced it to forfeit five first-round draft picks.