The NBA issued stern penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday following an independent investigation that revealed a “pattern of misconduct” and severe salary cap circumvention violations.
The investigation found that the Clippers improperly funneled off-court endorsement opportunities to star forward Kawhi Leonard through corporate partners – including Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance – in exchange for team business.
The report stated the franchise also covered personal expenses for Leonard and failed to report improper solicitations made by his former business manager and uncle, Dennis Robertson.
As a result of this investigation, the Clippers must forfeit five consecutive first-round draft picks starting in 2029, pay a $30 million fine and submit to five years of strict league monitoring.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has been suspended for one year from all league and team activities for, in part, “failure to create conditions under which his organization abided by the NBA’s circumvention rules.”
