NBA Fines Clippers $30M, Takes Away 5 First-Round Picks for Salary Cap Violations
The league said the team paid $30 million in fines and lost five first-round picks after investigators found rule-breaking tied to Leonard.
- On Wednesday, the NBA released findings confirming the Los Angeles Clippers engaged in salary-cap circumvention. The league penalized the franchise with five forfeited first-round draft picks and a $30 million fine to owner Steve Ballmer.
- Investigators found the organization facilitated improper payments to companies linked to Kawhi Leonard to secure his signing. Two companies received $10 million payments each, purportedly for business services despite lacking formal agreements at the time.
- Beyond team sanctions, the league suspended owner Steve Ballmer and President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker for one year. President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank received a six-month suspension, while Leonard was fined $700,000 in restitution.
- Wednesday's announcement validated reporting by Pablo Torre, whose investigation won a Pulitzer Prize despite earlier skepticism. ESPN's Shams Charania reported the league's disciplinary findings, vindicating Torre's earlier work on the circumvention scheme.
- The Clippers organization and personnel are subject to a league-overseen compliance and monitoring program for 5 years. Investigators noted they continue to receive relevant information and will supplement their findings as appropriate.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Kawhi Leonard Salary-Cap Penalty: NBA Star Avoids Suspension While Associates Face Multi-Year Bans
The punishment followed a league investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention tied to sponsorship and business arrangements connected to Kawhi Leonard's camp. The fallout has landed hardest on the organisation around him rather than on the two-time Finals MVP himself, leaving the Clippers facing a long-term competitive handicap just as they were trying to cement their new era at the Intuit Dome. Kawhi Leonard at the Centre as Associates T…
Adam Silver and Kawhi Leonard Are Viewed Differently in NBA After Historic Clippers Punishment, Says ESPN Insider
The NBA has closed its LA Clippers investigation, but the fallout is only beginning. Los Angeles faced allegations of circumventing the salary cap through Kawhi Leonard’s endorsement deals with Aspiration, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance. Many expected Adam Silver to stay soft on the controversy. Instead, he delivered the harshest punishment in NBA history. […]
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