Steve Ballmer Apologizes, Says Clippers Will Pay $30 Million Fine After NBA's Salary Cap Investigation

CBS LA

Updated on: September 14, 2026

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer officially broke his silence on the 1-year ban he received and the punishment dealt to the franchise after an investigation found that they violated the NBA's salary cap rules revolving around an endorsement deal involving star player Kawhi Leonard.

"This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets," said Ballmer in a statement, which was shared by the team on social media. "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."

Ballmer and the Clippers were dealt severe punishment in early September when an NBA investigation found that Ballmer knowingly sought to help Leonard "obtain off-court income opportunities" to circumvent the league's salary cap rules. The investigation began in 2025, when sports journalist Pablo Torre began investigating the endorsement agreement between Leonard and a company called Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC.

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