Clippers Investigation Notes: Ballmer, Precedent, Torre, More
hoopsrumors.com • • sports
Key Points:
- The Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer face significant challenges if they attempt to sue the NBA to overturn penalties related to salary cap circumvention, according to legal expert Michael McCann.
- The NBA's investigation concluded that the Clippers violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement by funneling money to Kawhi Leonard through multiple no-show endorsement deals, with Leonard and the players' union agreeing to his punishment.
- The Clippers have no formal appeal option since the players' union and Leonard consented to the sanctions, and courts typically defer to private associations like the NBA unless decisions are arbitrary or capricious.
- Pursuing legal action could further isolate Ballmer and the Clippers within the league, with multiple legal hurdles making an NBA victory in court likely.
- The Clippers publicly labeled the investigation a "witch hunt" and indicated they might consider legal recourse, though experts advise such efforts would face steep difficulties.
