The Los Angeles Clippers and their owner Steve Ballmer have found out that trying to bypass the salary cap results in heavy consequences. Following a thorough NBA investigation into Kawhi Leonard’s unofficial agreements, the league issued a firm decision, reinforcing that no team is exempt from its rules.
ESPN reports that the NBA is penalizing the Clippers by taking away five first-round draft picks and fining Ballmer $30 million. Additionally, Ballmer faces a one-year suspension, leaving the Clippers without the ability to control a first-round pick until 2034.
While Leonard avoided the harshest sanctions, he must pay $700,000 in restitution for improper benefits given to his uncle, Dennis Robertson, who is now banned from engaging in any league-related business.
This punishment is more than a minor reprimand—it ranks among the harshest ever imposed in professional sports. For a Clippers team looking to rebuild, losing such a significant portion of draft assets is a crippling setback.
With the Clippers officially penalized, it’s fitting to look back at some of the most notable and impactful punishments in sports history.
Saints Bounty Gate (2009):
After winning Super Bowl XLIV, Saints head coach Sean Payton’s reputation suffered when an investigation uncovered a bounty program led by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams intended to injure opponents. The Saints were fined $500,000 and lost two second-round draft picks. Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season without pay, Williams was indefinitely suspended, and GM Mickey Loomis served an eight-game unpaid suspension.
Timberwolves Secret Contract (2002):
The Minnesota Timberwolves were caught in a scandal involving Joe Smith, who signed three consecutive low-salary, one-year deals as part of a covert agreement to evade salary cap rules. The Timberwolves were fined $3.5 million, and their owner Glen Taylor and GM Kevin McHale were suspended. Like the Clippers, they forfeited five first-round draft picks.
Astros Sign Stealing (2020):
Following their 2017 World Series win, the Houston Astros were investigated for illegally stealing opposing teams’ signs. MLB fined them $5 million and revoked their first- and second-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021. General manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch received one-year suspensions before being fired. Despite the scandal, the Astros won the 2022 World Series, proving their roster’s genuine strength.
Patriots Spy Gate (2007):
Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots faced severe penalties when a video assistant was caught filming the New York Jets’ defensive signals illegally. Belichick was fined $500,000, the Patriots fined $250,000, and the team lost their 2008 first-round draft pick.
Red Sox Sign Stealing (2020):
The Boston Red Sox were implicated in a sign-stealing scandal during their 2018 World Series season. Replay operator J.T. Watkins was suspended for a year, and the Red Sox forfeited their 2020 second-round draft pick. Manager Alex Cora was suspended for a year due to his prior involvement with the Astros’ scandal. Since then, the Red Sox have struggled to reclaim their former dominance.
SMU “Death Penalty” (1987):
The SMU Mustangs received the NCAA’s harshest punishment due to illicit payments to players while already on probation. Their 1987 season was canceled, and recruiting restrictions forced them to cancel 1988 as well. With heavy scholarship losses, the program collapsed and took decades to recover.
Braves International Signing Infractions (2017):
From 2015 to 2017, the Atlanta Braves violated international bonus rules, leading to the loss of 13 top international prospects, including shortstop Kevin Maitan. GM John Coppolella was banned for life, the team forfeited a 2018 third-round draft pick, and bonus limits barred them from the international market through 2021.
USC NCAA Sanctions (2010):
Just after Pete Carroll left USC, the NCAA cracked down on improper benefits received by running back Reggie Bush. USC faced a two-year bowl ban, the loss of 30 scholarships over three years, four years of probation, and had to vacate 14 wins including their national championship. Bush forfeited his 2005 Heisman Trophy.
Jerry Sandusky Sanctions:
Penn State endured severe penalties after covering up assistant coach Jerry Sandusky’s child abuse crimes. The school was fined $60 million, banned from postseason play for four years, lost 40 scholarships, and had to vacate 112 wins. Sandusky is serving 30 to 60 years in prison for his 2012 conviction on 45 counts of abuse.
Dolphins Tampering Violations (2022):
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was involved in a tampering scandal after a lawsuit from former coach Brian Flores revealed illegal contact with Tom Brady and Sean Payton while they were under contract elsewhere. Miami lost a 2023 first-round and 2024 third-round pick; Ross was suspended and fined $1.5 million. The incident marked one of the harshest penalties in NFL history.
Fan Take:
This ruling is a major moment for basketball fans because it underscores the NBA’s commitment to fairness and integrity, no matter the stature of the team or owner. The Clippers’ loss of draft picks and Ballmer’s suspension could reshape their future, emphasizing that rule-breaking ultimately undermines the sport’s competitive balance.
Source: www.foxsports.com
