Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has issued a public apology, nearly two weeks after the National Basketball Association imposed a wide range of sanctions on the team. In a statement shared on X, Ballmer acknowledged this as a "difficult time" and extended his apologies to the team's dedicated fans, its employees, and his "fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused."
The Clippers were recently penalized for violating the league's salary cap circumvention rules. These infractions were specifically linked to star player Kawhi Leonard and transactions involving four companies that conducted business with the team. The severe penalties include the forfeiture of five first-round draft picks, commencing in 2029, and a staggering $30 million fine—the largest in NBA history.
Owner Steve Ballmer of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the game against the Detroit Pistons at Intuit Dome on Dec. 28, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
Katelyn Mulcahy | Getty Images
Ballmer confirmed that the team is fully complying with the imposed penalties, has paid the substantial fines, and is now committed to "moving forward." He added a caveat, however, stating, "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."
It's important to note that when the penalties were initially disclosed, the Clippers had vehemently rejected the NBA's findings. The team had announced its intention to challenge the report, characterizing its conclusions as the result of a "heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence." The NBA, for its part, asserted that Ballmer "knowingly" sought to assist Leonard in securing off-court income opportunities valued at millions of dollars, among other violations. Leonard, conversely, denied any involvement, stating he had "no knowledge of any intent on anyone's part to circumvent the salary cap."
Despite the controversy, Ballmer reiterated the Clippers' commitment to strengthening the team and investing in their community, expressing his confidence that they will "compete at the highest level and be an organization our fans can be proud of."
Read Ballmer's full statement on X: LA Clippers Statement on X
— CNBC's Dan Mangan contributed to this report.
