The Los Angeles Clippers have been fined a record $30 million by the NBA after an investigation found the franchise violated salary-cap rules in connection with off-court income opportunities involving star forward Kawhi Leonard.
Key Highlights
NBA imposes a record $30 million fine on the Los Angeles Clippers.
Clippers ordered to forfeit five first-round draft picks from 2029 to 2033.
Owner Steve Ballmer suspended from NBA and team activities for 12 months.
Clippers executive Gillian Zucker suspended without pay for one year.
Kawhi Leonard fined $700,000 over an endorsement agreement.
NBA investigation found a “pattern of misconduct” involving multiple rule violations.
Clippers reject the findings and plan to appeal the sanctions.
Franchise placed under a five-year NBA compliance and monitoring programme.
The punishment, announced by the NBA on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, is the largest fine in league history and comes with additional sanctions against the Clippers organisation, owner Steve Ballmer and Leonard.
The NBA said its month-long investigation uncovered a “pattern of misconduct” and multiple significant violations of league rules. The Clippers had previously faced disciplinary action over alleged salary-cap circumvention.
Beyond the $30 million fine, the Clippers must forfeit five first-round draft picks between 2029 and 2033, representing one of the most severe penalties imposed on an NBA franchise.
Ballmer, Clippers Executive Suspended
Ballmer has been suspended from all NBA and team activities for 12 months over his involvement in matters relating to Leonard’s sponsorship agreements.
Clippers president of business operations, Gillian Zucker, has also been suspended without pay for one year after the NBA found that she provided misleading information during the investigation.
Leonard was fined $700,000 in connection with a $28 million endorsement agreement with Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC. The arrangement came under scrutiny after podcast journalist Pablo Torre raised questions about whether the deal violated NBA regulations.
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver described the Clippers’ conduct as a serious breach of league rules, saying the scale of the sanctions reflected the seriousness of the findings.
Kawhi Leonard Accepts Responsibility
Leonard, 35, said he accepted responsibility for his actions but maintained that he entered into his Clippers contract and related agreements in good faith.
The two-time NBA champion said he was unaware of any attempt to circumvent the league’s salary cap.
Leonard joined the Clippers in 2019 and spent seven seasons with the franchise before leaving in 2026.
Clippers Reject NBA Findings
The Clippers have strongly rejected the NBA’s conclusions and announced plans to appeal the sanctions through every available avenue.
The franchise accused the league of conducting a biased investigation based on a predetermined narrative, while Ballmer’s attorney described the penalties as a “gross injustice.”
The NBA has also placed the Clippers and relevant personnel under a five-year compliance and monitoring programme.
Meanwhile, Leonard’s expected move to the Toronto Raptors, which had been put on hold pending the investigation, is now expected to proceed.
