Steve Ballmer backs down on NBA punishment, apologizes as Clippers accept $30 million fine

Steve Ballmer backs down on NBA punishment, apologizes as Clippers accept $30 million fine

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer won't fight the NBA's salary cap circumvention punishment in a reversal of the team's initial defiance and vow to fight against what it called “a heavily biased investigation.” In his first public comments since the NBA announced a sweeping punishment against the Clippers this month, Ballmer said in a statement posted online Sunday night that the team would comply with the penalties handed down by the league. The league suspended Ballmer for one year, fined the team $30 million and forced it to forfeit five first-round draft picks.