NBA suspends Clippers owner Steve Ballmer for one year, imposes fine and draft pick loss

The National Basketball Association announced Wednesday that Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, has been suspended for one year and that the franchise will forfeit five future draft picks and pay a $30 million fine. The sanctions stem from a $28 million endorsement arrangement involving Clippers star Kawhi Leonard that was discovered to have no genuine promotional activity. In a September interview with ESPN, Ballmer had asserted that the Clippers were not party to the questionable deal, a claim that has now been deemed “clearly false” by the league’s own investigation.

An NBA‑commissioned 35‑page report prepared by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz concluded that Ballmer’s statements were “inaccurate at best” regarding his involvement and “clearly false” concerning the Clippers’ role. The report, released as part of the league’s broader effort to enforce compliance and transparency, forms the basis for the disciplinary actions. The penalties mark one of the most severe punishments in NBA history, underscoring the league’s stance on misconduct related to player endorsements and organizational accountability.