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NBA fines LA Clippers $30m over salary rules
BBC News··3 Sept
The NBA fined the LA Clippers $30m, the largest fine in league history, for salary-rule violations tied to Kawhi Leonard. The team will forfeit five first-round draft picks between 2029 and 2033. Owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for 12 months from league and team activities. Leonard was fined $700,000. The Clippers said they will appeal.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Clippers draft capital from 2029 through 2033 is reduced by five first-round picks.
- Ballmer cannot take part in league or team activities for 12 months.
- Leonard said he accepts responsibility and expects to complete a move to the Toronto Raptors.
What's Happening
- The NBA said Leonard pressed the Clippers for off-court income opportunities and obtained them.
- An investigation opened in September 2025 after reporting on a $28m Aspiration endorsement deal.
- Clippers business president Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year without pay over misleading statements.
What the League Cited
- Commissioner Adam Silver called the violations flagrant and said the penalties match their seriousness.
- The organisation faces a five-year compliance and monitoring programme.
- The Clippers rejected the findings as biased and said private league briefings differed from the public announcement.
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