After the previous statements shown what Steve Ballmer and Clippers considered legal options to challenge the NBA’s findings in their investigation into the evasion of the restrictions, the embattled owner announced that he will comply with the ruling and will not pursue legal action, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania (via Twitter).
In his report, Charanya released a statement from Ballmer in which he expressed remorse for his role in what is one of the largest franchise fines in league history.
“I sincerely regret. I want to apologize to our fans, employees and my fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, for which I take responsibility as the principal ownerBallmer said.We commit to putting this chapter behind us. We have informed the NBA that we are complying with the fines imposed by the league, have paid the fine and are moving forward. While there is still disagreement about the report’s findings, I don’t want to dwell on that. Team owners should be supportive, not distracting.”
In the composition of penalties against the Clippers, Ballmer will be suspended for one year, and several other team executives are facing similar suspensions.
The decision is strategic because it begins the process of punishment and could open up an opportunity for the team to regain some of its lost first-round picks in time, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix writes (Link to Twitter).