Jazz Owner Backs ‘Stand-Up’ Ballmer, but Says NBA Had to Punish Him

Jazz owner Ryan Smith supports Steve Ballmer and the Clippers facing penalties for breaking NBA salary cap rules. However, Smith thinks the league is better off with Ballmer as an owner. "He's a stand-up individual first and foremost," Smith stated to Front Office Sports. The NBA imposed a one-year ban, a $30 million fine, and the Clippers lost five first-round draft picks due to deals that facilitated Kawhi Leonard's moves to four companies to circumvent cap rules.

Smith spoke about the situation shortly after federal prosecutors began investigating. Ballmer accepted the punishment, and Smith expressed satisfaction with that decision, adding that the team can now move forward. Both Ballmer and Smith have backgrounds in technology, with Ballmer formerly being CEO of Microsoft and Smith selling survey software company Qualtrics.

Smith expressed his admiration for Ballmer, stating he was one of the first people he spoke to when acquiring the Jazz in 2022 for $1.66 billion. "I love Steve; I think he's an incredible owner," Smith said. "I think the NBA is way better with him. Hopefully he can get back on the horse next year." Smith acknowledged that such violations have occurred before in the league, citing the 2000 Timberwolves' five-year penalty for a cap circumvention case led by then-NBA commissioner David Stern.

The investigation against Ballmer's Clippers also included a $700,000 fine for league star Kawhi Leonard in 2015.