Steve Ballmer Suspended by NBA for Endorsement Deal Violations

<figure> <img alt="" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/gettyimages-2166198274.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> INGLEWOOD, CA - JULY 19: A view of Halo Board inside the Intuit Dome, the Los Angeles Clippers new arena, during a press preview on July 19, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">In September 2025, Steve Ballmer stated in an ESPN interview that the Los Angeles Clippers were not involved in a questionable $28 million endorsement deal for player Kawhi Leonard, which did not involve actual endorsements. As a result, the NBA has suspended Ballmer for one year, and the league announced that the Clippers will forfeit five future draft picks and pay a $30 million fine, among other penalties.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">A year later, an NBA-commissioned 35-page report by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz indicated that Ballmer's claims were "inaccurate (at best) with respect to Mr. Ballmer" and "clearly false" regarding the Clippers' president.</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/989962/steve-ballmer-kawhi-leonard-pablo-torre-finds-out">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>