The NBA imposed historic sanctions on the Los Angeles Clippers after finding the franchise and Kawhi Leonard violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement through a pattern of misconduct that funneled off-court income opportunities to Leonard and helped circumvent the salary cap around his 2024 signing. A roughly year-long independent investigation by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, set out in a 35-page report, concluded the Clippers initiated, facilitated and induced arrangements with Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance. The probe began with Leonard’s reported $28 million Aspiration endorsement; owner Steve Ballmer had invested $50 million in the firm before that deal and another $10 million in 2023. Investigators also detailed a Daktronics Intuit Dome scoreboard contract tied to an $8 million, two-year Leonard endorsement framed as a spend-back, flagging its size, pandemic-era timing, lack of comparable athlete deals and absence of a public announcement. Penalties include a $30 million fine on the Clippers, forfeiture of five first-round picks from 2029 to 2033, a one-year suspension of Ballmer from all league and team activities, a one-year suspension of president Gillian Zucker, a six-month suspension of president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, and a $700,000 fine on Leonard. Commissioner Adam Silver called the violations flagrant. After the 2025-26 season Leonard had said he expected to be cleared; he later accepted responsibility for lapses in his inner circle. The Clippers and Ballmer rejected the findings, with attorney David Kelley branding the inquiry a witch hunt and saying they are exploring every legal remedy. Daktronics said it is cooperating with NBA and SEC information requests. The firm continues to receive relevant information and further league action remains possible. The case followed reporting by journalist Pablo Torre.