LA Clippers fined $30m by NBA over Leonard scandal

The NBA has imposed a staggering $30 million fine on the LA Clippers for violating salary rules in order to help star player Kawhi Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities. This is the largest fine in league history. In addition to the hefty fine, the Clippers will have to forfeit five first-round draft picks between 2029 and 2033.

Furthermore, owner Steve Ballmer has been suspended for 12 months from all league and team activities. Leonard himself received a $700,000 fine and president of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for a year without pay for providing "misleading statements to investigators." The NBA's investigation found a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rule violations by the Clippers organization, which has been deemed a prior offender of the salary-cap circumvention rules.

Both the organisation and its personnel will now be subject to a five-year compliance and monitoring programme overseen by the league.