The Clippers have already rejected the NBA’s findings. Now they’re considering whether to ask a court to do something about them.
Steve Ballmer and the organization are discussing a potential lawsuit against the league that could include seeking a restraining order, according to Michael S. Schmidt, William K. Rashbaum and Santul Nerkar of The New York Times.
No final decision has been made, and it remains possible that Los Angeles will stop short of taking legal action. Still, the mere discussion signals how far the relationship between the Clippers and the league has deteriorated.
The NBA fined the franchise $30 million, stripped it of five future first-round picks and suspended Ballmer for one year after determining that the team circumvented the salary cap through outside compensation arrangements involving Kawhi Leonard. President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank received a six-month suspension, while Leonard was ordered to make a $700,000 restitution payment.
The Clippers responded by calling the investigation “heavily biased” and claiming the league’s private communications differed from what it ultimately announced publicly.
A lawsuit would move that fight beyond strongly worded statements and into an actual courtroom. Seeking a restraining order could also represent an attempt to halt at least some portion of the penalties while the dispute plays out.
Or this could be part of the negotiating process.
Threatening legal action often creates leverage without anyone ever filing anything. Following through would mean the Clippers are prepared for a public fight with the league to which they belong.
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