Steve Ballmer

Clippers name LA attorney John Gibson interim CEO amid Ballmer ban

Clippers named attorney John S. Gibson interim CEO on Sept. 21, 2026, as Steve Ballmer serves a one-year NBA ban after a $30 million fine and five forfeited first-round picks.

Federal Prosecutors Reportedly Probe Clippers Over Leonard Deals

Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation in Brooklyn into whether the Los Angeles Clippers secretly arranged endorsement deals to circumvent the NBA salary cap, a probe that follows the league’s $30 million penalty, loss of five first-round picks, and ballpark suspensions for owner Steve Ballmer. While at least one subpoena has been issued and details remain unclear, the case is unfolding alongside ongoing NBA sanctions and prior independent findings, with the team denying wrongdoing and weighing legal challenges, and related SEC inquiries into involved contractors such as Daktronics.

Clippers Accept NBA Penalties, End Legal Challenge

Clippers accept a $30M fine, five forfeited first-round picks (2029–2033) and owner suspensions after a $66M Kawhi deal probe; Ballmer ends the legal challenge.

NBA Fines Clippers, Suspends Owners in Salary-Cap Case

NBA-Clippers settlement talks could shape Leonard's planned trade to Raptors

NBA Probes Clippers Kawhi Leonard Salary Cap Case

The NBA has found no evidence that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money to Kawhi Leonard through team sponsors as part of the salary-cap circumvention probe, and investigators are now evaluating whether introducing Leonard to sponsors violated league rules, with no penalties announced as the inquiry nears its conclusion.

NBA Sponsorship Probe Widens

The NBA has found no evidence that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to Kawhi Leonard to circumvent the salary cap, and the probe is now centered on whether introducing Leonard to sponsors violated salary-cap rules or constituted a failure to supervise, with negotiations ongoing to resolve the matter. The investigation has left Leonard’s agreed-upon trade to the Raptors on hold as both sides work toward a resolution, while Clippers defend that sponsor introductions are a normal practice.