{
  "id": 7269399,
  "title": "‘Destroyed the Entire Franchise,’ ‘Cheater and Criminal’ — Pablo Torre, NBA World Rip Steve Ballmer As Clippers Wave White Flag in Kawhi Leonard Scandal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/destroyed-the-entire-franchise-cheater-and-criminal-pablo-torre-nba",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-14T07:35:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/destroyed-entire-franchise-cheater-criminal-073553338.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kawhi Leonard scandal has led to severe consequences for the Los Angeles Clippers and their owner, Steve Ballmer. The NBA handed down one of the harshest penalties in league history, prompting owner Ballmer to concede and accept the punishment. However, this concession has only fueled criticism from NBA analysts and fans, who view it as a sign of defeat. The scandal originated from a $28 million endorsement deal between Leonard and Aspiration, which was revealed by journalist-turned-podcaster Pablo Torre. This revelation sparked a year-long NBA investigation, which ultimately led to the league's harsh penalties. The Clippers were fined $30 million, lost five first-round picks from 2029 to 2033, and faced a year-long suspension for Ballmer. In addition, the team president of business operations was suspended for a year, while the president of basketball operations was suspended for six months. While Leonard received a light fine and no suspension, the disparity in penalties has sparked frustration within the organization. Leonard is reportedly working out with his upcoming Toronto Raptors teammates, and the Clippers may delay a trade with the Raptors due to the perceived unfairness of the situation. The backlash against Ballmer has been fierce, with critics accusing him of being a \"cheater and criminal.\" As the Clippers navigate this challenging period, the league's heavy-handed response has cast a shadow over their future, with analysts worried about the long-term impact on the franchise.",
  "summary": "Steve Ballmer appears ready to move on from the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard scandal after the NBA handed down one of the harshest penalties in league history. The Clippers’ owner said Sunday that the team will accept the punishment and put the matter behind it.",
  "key_points": [
    "NBA imposes record penalties on Clippers, including $30M fine and loss of picks",
    "Steve Ballmer criticized as 'cheater and criminal' by NBA analysts",
    "Kawhi Leonard faces no suspension, prompting frustration within organization"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The severe penalties and harsh criticism from the NBA and its community signal a major setback for Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers, casting doubt on their future competitiveness and franchise stability.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}