Steve Ballmer backs down, Clippers won’t sue NBA over cap penalties

The Clippers’ legal fight against the NBA has ended before it ever began.

Owner Steve Ballmer has informed the league that the franchise will comply with its salary-cap circumvention penalties and will not pursue legal action. The Clippers have already paid their $30 million fine.

“We are committing to put this chapter behind us,” Ballmer said in a statement.

Ballmer apologized to Clippers fans, employees and his fellow NBA owners, accepting responsibility for the distraction as the organization’s principal owner. He maintained that disagreements remain regarding the league’s findings but said that is no longer where he wants to focus.

“Team owners should support, not distract,” Ballmer said.

That represents quite the reversal. The Clippers initially blasted the NBA’s investigation as biased and vowed to challenge the findings through every available avenue. A potential lawsuit and even a restraining order against the league were reportedly under consideration.

Instead, Ballmer is paying the bill and going home.

Along with the fine, the NBA stripped the Clippers of five first-round picks, suspended Ballmer for one year and handed lengthy suspensions to executives Lawrence Frank and Gillian Zucker. The organization will also be subject to a five-year compliance and monitoring program.

Ballmer’s decision ends the Clippers’ threatened fight with the NBA. It does not, however, make the separate federal investigation disappear.

Prosecutors in Brooklyn have opened a criminal inquiry into the Clippers’ dealings involving Kawhi Leonard, and at least one subpoena has reportedly been issued.

Ballmer can decide he is finished battling the NBA. He does not get to decide whether the federal government is finished asking questions.