Steve Ballmer backs down on NBA punishment, apologizes as Clippers accept $30 million fine

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer won't fight the NBA's salary cap circumvention punishment in a reversal of the team's initial defiance and vow to fight against what it called “a heavily biased investigation.”

In his first public comments since the NBA announced a sweeping punishment against the Clippers this month, Ballmer said in a statement posted online Sunday night that the team would comply with the penalties handed down by the league.

The league suspended Ballmer for one year, fined the team $30 million and forced it to forfeit five first-round draft picks.

Ballmer said the team has paid the fine.

“While there are still disagreements concerning the findings in the report, this is not where I want to focus,” he said. “Team owners should support, not distract.”

Ballmer apologized to Clippers fans, employees and his fellow owners for the “distraction and distress” caused by the investigation that found the team violated salary cap circumvention rules involving Kawhi Leonard.

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

The league came down hard on the organization after a nearly yearlong investigation led by an outside law firm. The Clippers had said multiple times that they had done nothing wrong and expected to be exonerated.

After the penalties were announced, the team said it “vehemently” rejected the NBA’s findings and called it “a heavily biased investigation.”

The Clippers also released a letter from Ballmer’s attorney David Kelley to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in which he described the investigation as “a witch hunt” and the subsequent penalties as a “gross injustice.”

The NBA began investigating in September 2025 whether a $28 million endorsement contract between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC — a company that filed for bankruptcy last year — broke league rules, following a report by journalist Pablo Torre. Earlier this year, Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to defrauding investors and lenders of at least $248 million.

The league said Ballmer knowingly sought to help Leonard obtain off-court income deals, approved a business deal that he knew was a precondition for Aspiration to enter into an endorsement contract with Leonard, and for failing to create conditions under which his team followed league rules.

Ballmer said the team is “committed to putting this chapter behind us.”

“The challenges ahead of us are significant, but so is our resolve,” he said. “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.”

Leonard’s trade to the Toronto Raptors has been on hold pending the outcome of the investigation. The Raptors have said they still want Leonard, and he apparently is just as eager to return to the team where he won an NBA title and was Finals MVP in 2019.

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

FILE - Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard warms up before an NBA basketball game April 10, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer sits on the sideline before an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls on March 13, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

BERLIN (AP) — Breanna Stewart oozes confidence on the basketball court, especially when she puts on a USA Basketball jersey.

She continued an incredible run by helping the U.S. win its fifth consecutive women's FIBA World Cup title Sunday with a 97-79 victory over France. Stewart has been a part of the last four and now she's tied with Sue Bird for the most in the tournament's history.

“She is USA Basketball. When you think of the last 15 years, it’s Stewie," U.S. coach Kara Lawson said. "We’re just really lucky to be a part of her era.”

Stewart won her second MVP award in the World Cup and averaged 12.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 55.3% from the floor during this tournament. She had 22 points and 10 rebounds in the victory over France.

“I pride myself on being consistently great,” Stewart said. “That’s showing up when it’s the big moments, the small moments and all the moments in between. It’s an unrealistic confidence I have in myself.”

It isn't just in the World Cup that Stewart excels. She has already won three Olympic gold medals, three WNBA titles and four NCAA championships — where she won the Most Outstanding Player each year.

She's earned the respect of her all her teammates.

“Stewie’s been a tremendous leader through this whole process for us,” said Caitlin Clark, who was playing in her first World Cup. “Stewie’s a winner. That’s all she is. All she ever does is win. She’s been in so many of these moments, and when you have somebody like that on your team, it’s just a really comforting thing.”

Clark said how Stewart came into the weight room after the close three-point win over Italy and comforted some of the newcomers on the team, who were a little surprised by how tight that game had been.

“I just want you guys to know this is how it is. Don’t be intimidated by that. This is just how this goes. The games are going to be close. That doesn’t mean like you should feel defeated in any way,” Clark recalled. “I thought that was just a really good thing we needed to hear. Don’t let that bother you. These games are going to be hard.”

Stewart learned from some of the best leaders in Bird and Diana Taurasi. She's just continued that tradition of success.

“I think sometimes you get used to seeing excellence all the time and you get complacent,” said Chelsea Gray. “You see the way she competes, the way she finishes the ball, the way she brings the team together. Things like this don't happen by accident.”

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

France's Gabby Williams guards Breanna Stewart, of the United States, during the Women's Basketball World Cup final match between the United States and France in Berlin, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Breanna Stewart, of the United States, scores during the Women's Basketball World Cup final match between the United States and France in Berlin, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Breanna Stewart, of the United States, gets a rebound during the Women's Basketball World Cup final match between the United States and France in Berlin, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Breanna Stewart, of the United States,, left, and Paige Bueckers pose with trophy after the Women's Basketball World Cup final match between the United States and France in Berlin, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)