Clippers’ Steve Ballmer speaks out following massive NBA ban

Eleven days after he was banned for one year by the NBA , Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer made his first comments on social media about the scandal that engulfed the franchise for more than a year.

Writing on Twitter/X on Sunday, Sept. 13, Ballmer accepted responsibility for his role in the NBA's report that the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard attempted to circumvent the league's salary cap rules.

"This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets," Ballmer wrote on Twitter/X. "I want to apologize to our fans, employees, and my fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, for which I accept responsibility as principal owner."

On Sept. 2, Ballmer was suspended from all league and team activities for one year for "knowingly seeking to help Mr. Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities, for approving a business deal that he knew was a precondition for Aspiration to enter into an endorsement agreement with Mr. Leonard, and for his failure to create conditions under which his organization abided by the NBA's circumvention rules."

The decision came almost one year to the day after Pablo Torre's Sept. 3, 2025 report linked Leonard to a phony $28 million endorsement deal with the fintech company Aspiration. Torre's subsequent reporting uncovered a much broader web of transactions.

It took Ballmer more than a year — and a scathing, publicly released report by the NBA — to publicly concede any impropriety on his or the Clippers' part.

"We are committing to put this chapter behind us," Ballmer's post continued. "We have communicated to the NBA that we are complying with the penalties assessed by the league, have paid the fine, and are moving forward. While there are still disagreements concerning the findings in the report, this is not where I want to focus. Team owners should support, not distract.

"The challenges ahead of us are significant, but so is our resolve. We will continue to build our team and invest in our community. The confidence of our fans is our priority. With our talented roster, outstanding staff and clear vision, I am certain that we will compete at the highest level and be an organization our fans can be proud of."