NBA ban on Steve Ballmer is more than ‘just sports’ — it’s the accountability society needs
When we watch pro sports, we want to know things are on the level, that there's no thumb on the scale. Journalist Pablo Torre's work reaches beyond just sports.
The NBA has imposed significant punishments on the Los Angeles Clippers and star player Kawhi Leonard following an investigation into alleged violations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The league found that both Leonard and the team had engaged in a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rule violations. The investigation originated from Leonard's reported $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt environmental company which was reportedly given to circumvent the salary cap.
Aspiration was the first environmental sponsor of the Clippers' Intuit Dome. Ballmer, the team's owner, had previously invested significantly in Aspiration, including $50 million in 2021 and an additional $10 million in 2023. This was not the only off-court income opportunity found by the NBA: the investigation also revealed that the Clippers had initiated such deals with Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed deep disappointment in the "flagrant violations of our rules" and the "institutional and leadership failures" that led to the misconduct. The league has levied a $30 million fine on the Clippers, a $700,000 fine on Leonard, a one-year suspension for Clippers president Gillian Zucker, a six-month suspension for president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, and the loss of five first-round draft picks between 2029 and 2033.
Additionally, Ballmer has been suspended from all league and team activities for one year for approving a deal that facilitated Leonard's off-court income opportunities. The NBA investigation was conducted by law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Both the Clippers and Leonard have disagreed with the findings, with Ballmer and his attorney describing the investigation as a "witch hunt" and "flies in the face of fundamental fairness."
The NBA will continue to receive information relevant to the investigation and may consider further action if appropriate.
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