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NBA imposes historic penalties on Los Angeles Clippers over salary cap violations
The NBA has issued historic disciplinary sanctions against the Los Angeles Clippers following a yearlong investigation into salary cap circumvention. The league found that the franchise facilitated off-court income opportunities for star forward Kawhi Leonard through arrangements with four companies: Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance.
As a result of these findings, the Clippers will forfeit five first-round draft picks, specifically one in each year from 2029 through 2033, and must pay a $30 million fine. The organization will also be subject to a league-mandated compliance and monitoring program for five years.
Individual penalties include a one-year suspension for owner Steve Ballmer from all league and team activities. President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker received a one-year suspension without pay, while President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank was suspended without pay for six months. Kawhi Leonard was ordered to pay $700,000, and his former business manager, Dennis Robertson, has been banned from conducting business with NBA teams for five years.
The Clippers have vehemently rejected the findings and indicated they may challenge the decision. Meanwhile, the investigation's conclusion coincides with Leonard's expected trade to the Toronto Raptors.
Entities
Adam Silver · Kawhi Leonard · Los Angeles Clippers · NBA · Steve Ballmer · Toronto Raptors
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank is suspended without pay for six months. sportslawexpert.com · labusinessjournal.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The NBA stripped the Los Angeles Clippers of five first-round draft picks for the years 2029 through 2033. gaze.com.au · theibulletin.com · sportslawexpert.com · labusinessjournal.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Dennis Robertson is banned from conducting business with NBA teams for five years. sportslawexpert.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Owner Steve Ballmer is suspended from all league and team activities for one year. gaze.com.au · theibulletin.com · sportslawexpert.com · labusinessjournal.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker is suspended without pay for one year. sportslawexpert.com · labusinessjournal.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Clippers will operate under a league compliance and monitoring program for five years. sportslawexpert.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Kawhi Leonard was ordered to pay the league $700,000. sportslawexpert.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Clippers must pay a $30 million fine. gaze.com.au · theibulletin.com · sportslawexpert.com · labusinessjournal.com