Clippers owner Steve Ballmer says he has 'sincere regrets' and accepts the NBA's punishment over the Kawhi Leonard scandal

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said he and the franchise accept the NBA's punishments for circumventing the salary cap.

Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images Steve Ballmer is done fighting the NBA over Kawhi Leonard.

On Sunday, the Clippers owner said he and the franchise accept the league's punishments.

Ballmer received a one-year ban for his involvement in the salary cap circumvention.

Steve Ballmer is ready to turn the page on the Los Angeles Clippers' handling of NBA star Kawhi Leonard's contracts.

"This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets," Ballmer said in a statement published on Sunday night.

"I want to apologize to our fans, employees, and my fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, for which I accept responsibility as principal owner." Ballmer, the Clippers owner, said there "are still disagreements" with the NBA-commissioned report that found the Clippers violated the league's salary cap by introducing Leonard to companies doing business with the team, "inducing the companies" to work with Leonard in exchange for Clippers business, and covering Leonard's personal expenses.

For my Los Angeles Clippers followers This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets.

I want to apologize to our fans, employees, and my fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has… — Steve Ballmer (@Steven_Ballmer) September 14, 2026 In response to the findings, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver dropped the hammer on the Clippers.

The franchise was forced to give up five first-round NBA draft picks, starting in the 2029 draft and continuing through 2033.

The NBA suspended Ballmer "from all league and team activities" for one year.

Silver also imposed a $30 million fine on the team, the largest such financial penalty in league history.

Ballmer, who is one of the 10 richest people in the world, said the team has already paid the fine.

The report, prepared by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, found that Ballmer "knowingly sought to help Mr.