NBA punishes Steve Ballmer and Clippers with heavy penalties over scandal
The NBA has issued severe penalties to the LA Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer for salary cap circumvention related to Kawhi Leonard. The investigation found that the team used consulting agreements to facilitate off-court income for the player.
Why it matters
This case sets a significant precedent for how professional sports leagues regulate player compensation and team-sponsored endorsement deals.
The NBA has imposed major penalties on the Los Angeles Clippers after a nearly yearlong investigation into salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard. The team has been fined $30 million and must forfeit five future first-round draft picks. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has also been suspended for one year.Team president of business operations Gillian Zucker received a one-year suspension without pay, while president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was suspended for six months. Leonard has been fined $700,000 for his role in the violations.NBA finds LA Clippers broke salary cap rules in Kawhi Leonard DealA major issue in the investigation was the way the LA Clippers helped arrange endorsement opportunities for Kawhi Leonard.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
NBA punishes Clippers after Kawhi investigation: Top questions - ESPN
The bombshell messages that doomed Steve Ballmer in Kawhi Leonard scandal
6 winners, 5 losers from Kawhi Leonard scandal after Clippers get hit with NBA ‘death penalty’
NBA levies unprecedented penalty on Clippers, team owner Steve Ballmer - The Washington Post
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