The NBA has imposed a $30 million fine on Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and stripped the franchise of five future first-round draft picks as punishment for circumventing salary cap rules. The league's investigation concluded that the Clippers engaged in improper benefits related to player acquisition, marking one of the most significant penalties in professional sports history.
In addition to the financial and draft pick penalties, Ballmer will also serve a one-year suspension. The Clippers will not have control over a first-round draft pick until 2034. Kawhi Leonard, the player at the center of the investigation, received a lesser penalty of $700,000 in restitution for improper benefits, and his uncle, Dennis Robertson, has been banned from conducting future business within the league.
This ruling places the Clippers' penalty among the most severe in sports history. For a franchise on the cusp of rebuilding, the loss of draft capital is considered a significant blow.
Historical Sports Penalties
The NBA's actions against the Clippers draw parallels to other substantial punishments handed down across professional sports for rule violations.
In 2009, the New Orleans Saints faced penalties for a "bounty program" that aimed to injure opponents. Head coach Sean Payton was suspended for a full season, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was indefinitely suspended, and the team was fined $500,000 and lost two second-round draft picks. General manager Mickey Loomis also received an eight-game suspension.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were penalized in 2002 for a secret contract agreement with Joe Smith. The team was fined $3.5 million, owner Glen Taylor and general manager Kevin McHale were suspended, and, similar to the Clippers, the Timberwolves forfeited five first-round draft picks.
In Major League Baseball, the Houston Astros received a $5 million fine and forfeited their first- and second-round picks in the 2020 and 2021 drafts for an illegal sign-stealing scheme during their 2017 World Series-winning season. General manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were also suspended for one year.
The New England Patriots were fined $250,000 and forfeited their 2008 first-round pick in 2007 for illegally filming the New York Jets' defensive signals. Head coach Bill Belichick was also fined $500,000.
More recently, the Miami Dolphins received penalties in 2022 for tampering violations. The team forfeited a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick, while owner Stephen Ross was suspended and fined $1.5 million following an investigation that stemmed from a lawsuit filed by former head coach Brian Flores.
Beyond professional leagues, college sports have also seen severe sanctions. The SMU Mustangs football program received the "death penalty" in 1987 due to under-the-table payments to players, resulting in the cancellation of two seasons and significant scholarship reductions.
The USC Trojans football program faced NCAA sanctions in 2010, including a two-year bowl ban and the loss of 30 scholarships, stemming from improper benefits received by Reggie Bush. The team was also forced to vacate 14 wins, including a national title.
Penn State's football program received substantial sanctions in response to a cover-up involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, including a $60 million fine, a four-year bowl ban, and the vacation of 112 victories.