Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has lost the support of his NBA peers after they read the league's investigative report into salary cap circumvention, says insider Brian Windhorst. This comes as the Clippers navigate a difficult recent stretch, having lost their last two games, including a 120-101 defeat to the Denver Nuggets on May 3, 2025.
What did the NBA's investigation find?
The NBA's probe centered on allegations involving endorsements between star forward Kawhi Leonard and companies connected to the Clippers' business. One major arrangement involved Daktronics, a company that supplied technology for the new Intuit Dome. Windhorst previously called that deal a grade-A kickback.
As a result, the league imposed historic penalties. The Clippers were fined $30 million and lost five future first-round draft picks. Ballmer received a one-year suspension, and several team executives were also suspended. Kawhi Leonard was ordered to repay $700,000, and Dennis Robertson was banned from NBA business.
Why did owner support vanish?
Senior NBA insider Brian Windhorst explained the shift on the ESPN Hoop Collective podcast. He said some owners initially wanted to believe Ballmer despite the severe accusations. "I think Steve Ballmer had support of his peers in this," Windhorst stated.
That changed when the evidence was presented. "The word that was said to me by a very influential person was that some of the other owners were aghast when they read this report," Windhorst revealed. He emphasized that Ballmer's previous support "is no longer there."
Windhorst and other insiders claim Clippers sources provided hard-to-believe explanations and even lied. Some reporter-source relationships were nearly destroyed over questions about the scandal.
What are the consequences for the Clippers?
Losing five first-round picks and $30 million damages the team's future on the court. But losing Ballmer's standing among fellow owners might hurt more in the long run. NBA ownership is an exclusive club where relationships affect everything from league policy to major business decisions.
This credibility problem emerges during a challenging period for the team's performance. Their recent form over the last five games is 2 wins and 3 losses (LLWWL). They have lost their last two contests, a trend they'll need to reverse quickly. Fans can track their progress on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.
The Clippers can publicly dispute the findings, and Ballmer can keep defending himself. However, the damage among his peers appears significant. Owners backing Ballmer while allegations were disputed is one thing. Their reaction to the league's gathered evidence is another.
This situation adds another layer of difficulty for a franchise already facing stiff competition in the Western Conference. Repairing trust within the NBA's boardrooms could prove tougher than rebuilding a draft portfolio.
