It was among the last pieces of information still missing after the Clippers’ harsh sanction. After days of silence, the California franchise issued a statement signed by its owner, Steve Ballmer, in which he expresses how he feels and the extent to which they understand the punishment, which they accept even as they make clear that they do not agree with every conclusion of the final report.
Rather than delve into the details of what has been highlighted as a financial system crafted to circumvent the salary cap, Ballmer shifts the focus to the emotional and personal, offering his apologies on one hand and underscoring that they are continuing to strive to assemble the best possible team on the other. Here is the letter in full.
To my fans of the Los Angeles Clippers,
It has been a very difficult moment for everyone associated with the Clippers, and that is why I feel sincere remorse. I want to apologize to our fans, employees and the other NBA owners for the distraction and the discomfort this matter has caused, for which I accept responsibility as the principal owner.
We are committed to putting this chapter behind us. We have informed the NBA that we are complying with the sanctions imposed by the league, we have paid the fine, and we are moving forward. Although there are still disagreements regarding the findings in the report, that is not the point I want to focus on. Team owners should support, not distract.
The challenges ahead are substantial, but so is our determination. We will continue to build our team and invest in our community. The trust of our fans is our priority. With a talented roster, an exceptional staff, and a clear vision, I am confident that we will compete at the highest level and be an organization our fans can be proud of.
Steve Ballmer, Between Acceptance and Complaint
It is clear that Steve Ballmer has had to bow his head. Some thought the Clippers’ owner might appeal, but he must be clear that there is no other path than to promptly accept what is an immense punishment, which is measured by the loss of five first-round picks and as much as $30 million.
In any case, he also leaves a note of pride by stressing that he does not agree with all of the charges leveled in a truly hard-hitting report and that what happened with Aspiration is not an isolated incident, as well as that Kawhi Leonard is far from being the angel who walked away unscathed.
