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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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In his first public comment on social media since he was banned for one year by the NBA, Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer accepted responsibility for the Kawhi Leonard scandal and said he's paid the $30 million fine assessed by the league.
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"This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets," Ballmer wrote on Twitter/X. "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."
On Sept. 2, the league announced the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard violated its salary cap circumvention rules, a charge the parties previously denied.
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Ballmer was suspended from all league and team activities for one year for "knowingly seeking to help Mr. Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities, for approving a business deal that he knew was a precondition for Aspiration to enter into an endorsement agreement with Mr. Leonard, and for his failure to create conditions under which his organization abided by the NBA’s circumvention rules."
That ban was just the tip of the iceberg.
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The NBA also suspended President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker without pay for one year, suspended President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank without pay for six months, and took away the team's first-round draft picks, one in each year from 2029-33.
"We are committing to put this chapter behind us," Ballmer's post continued. "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.
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"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."
The league made its investigation report public. Between that document, and the public revelation of the connection between Leonard, the Clippers, and Aspiration on Pablo Torre Finds Out, Ballmer had little choice in the end but to take responsibility for the obvious attempt to circumvent the NBA's salary cap rules.
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Torre's Sept. 3, 2025 report started with one $28 million Aspiration deal, but his subsequent reporting uncovered a much broader web of transactions. It took Ballmer more than a year to publicly concede any impropriety on his or the Clippers' part.
While Ballmer attempts to put this chapter behind him, the Clippers will be paying the penalty for his actions (or inactions) for years to come.
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