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NewsWSVN 7 MiamiSeptember 2, 2026Miami-Dade

NBA suspends Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, fines team $30M and Kawhi Leonard $700K for salary cap circumvention

The NBA has issued a series of severe penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers organization, including a one-year suspension for owner Steve Ballmer and the forfeiture of five draft picks, following an investigation into salary cap circumvention. The league also suspended team president Gillian Zucker for one year and basketball operations president Lawrence Frank for six months, while imposing a $700,000 fine on player Kawhi Leonard.

NBASports GovernanceSalary CapProfessional SportsCorporate Compliance
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Why It Matters

The penalties significantly impact the Clippers' future roster construction through the loss of draft picks and the removal of key leadership, while establishing a precedent for how the league handles off-court income arrangements between players and team-affiliated entities.

Key Facts

Each fact below is taken from the article. Click one to see the exact passage.

Who's Mentioned

organizationLos Angeles Clippers“Subject of the NBA investigation and penalties”personAdam Silver“NBA Commissioner who announced the penalties”personHarrison Gaines“Represented Kawhi Leonard in his statement”personLawrence Frank“Suspended for six months”personPablo Torre“Reported on the initial contract concerns”personJoseph Sanberg“Aspiration co-founder convicted of fraud”personSteve Ballmer“Suspended for one year for salary cap circumvention”personDennis Robertson“Banned from doing business with NBA teams for five years”personKawhi Leonard“Fined $700,000 for involvement in impermissible income deals”personGillian Zucker“Suspended for one year”organizationAspiration Fund Adviser LLC“Company involved in the disputed endorsement contract”