Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer issued an apology on Monday, nearly two weeks after the NBA sanctioned the team for violating salary cap circumvention rules. Ballmer stated that the team is complying with the penalties, having paid the league's largest-ever fine of $30 million and agreeing to forfeit five first-round draft picks, one each year starting in 2029. He called it a "difficult time" and apologized to fans, staff, and other NBA team owners, adding that while he still disputes the findings in the report, the focus will now be on developing the team.