Harshest Punishments In Sports History: How Does The Clippers Ruling Compare?

The Los Angeles Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer just learned that circumventing the salary cap carries a steep price tag.

After concluding its investigation into Kawhi Leonard’s side deals, the NBA delivered a decisive ruling that proves no franchise is above the league's rulebook.

According to ESPN , the NBA is stripping the Clippers of five first-round picks and slapping owner Ballmer with a $30 million fine.

Ballmer will also serve a one-year suspension, leaving the Clippers without control over a first-round pick until 2034.

Leonard escaped the harshest discipline, but he was still ordered to pay $700,000 in restitution over improper benefits received by his uncle, Dennis Robertson.

The NBA has also banned Robertson from conducting any future business within the league.

This isn't just a slap on the wrist as it’s one of the steepest penalties ever handed down in pro sports.

For a young Clippers team on the brink of rebuilding, losing half a decade’s worth of first-round draft capital is an absolute death blow.

With the hammer officially dropped on the Clippers, let’s dive into the history books.

These are the most memorable and impactful sports punishments handed out in history.

Winning Super Bowl XLIV gave Saints head coach Sean Payton the breakout moment he needed to earn respect around the league.

But that reputation took a hit when an investigation revealed a scandal brewing behind their magical season.

The victory was soon tarnished when an investigation exposed a bounty program led by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to intentionally injure opponents.

Payton covered it up, resulting in a $500,000 fine and the Saints being stripped of two second-round picks.