Clippers Fined 30 Million Dollars and Five First-Round Picks Over Salary-Cap Rules

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer publicly apologized nearly two weeks after the NBA imposed a series of penalties on the team. In a statement posted on social media, Ballmer called it a "difficult period" and apologized to the team's fans, employees and "fellow NBA team owners," saying the matter had caused disruption and distress. In early September 2026, the Clippers were penalized for violating the league's salary-cap circumvention rules, in matters involving star player Kawhi Leonard and four companies doing business with the team.

The penalties require the Clippers to forfeit five first-round draft picks, one per year starting in 2029, and to pay a 30 million dollar fine, the largest in NBA history. Ballmer said the team is complying with the penalties, has paid the fine and will continue to move forward.

When the penalties were announced, the Clippers refused to accept the NBA's investigative findings. The team said it intended to dispute the report and described the findings as the product of a biased investigation aimed at supporting a predetermined conclusion rather than being based on facts and evidence. The NBA said Ballmer "knew" about and sought to help Leonard obtain millions of dollars in off-court income opportunities, among other violations. Leonard said he was unaware of any intent to circumvent the salary cap. Ballmer also said the Clippers will continue to build the team and invest in the community, and that he is confident the team will compete at the highest level and become an organization fans can be proud of.