From the "witch hunt" to confessing the NBA's big scam: "I take responsibility"

Steve Ballmer , owner of the Los Angeles Clippers , accepts the sanctions imposed by the NBA on his franchise for the scam to circumvent the salary cap .'

" It has been a very difficult time for everyone associated with the Clippers, and I deeply regret the situation. I want to apologize to our fans, employees, and the other NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, and I take responsibility for it in my capacity as principal owner," the billionaire shared in a statement.

I want to apologize to our fans, employees, and the other NBA team owners

Steve Ballmer wanted to make it clear that "we are determined to leave this chapter behind. We have informed the NBA that we are complying with the sanctions imposed by the league, we have paid the fine, and we are moving forward".

We have informed the NBA that we are complying with the sanctions imposed by the league, we have paid the fine and we are moving forward

The Clippers' scam against the NBA with Kawhi Leonard becomes a criminal case

At the beginning of this month the NBA announced a series of harsh sanctions for the Clippers, including the loss of five future first-round Draft picks , a $30 million fine and a one-year suspension for Ballmer for violating the rules prohibiting circumvention of the salary cap, in a case related to Kawhi Leonard.

The investigation revealed a pattern of misconduct and multiple serious violations of the rules by the Clippers organization

The sanctions were imposed following an investigation of nearly a year into the franchise, which "revealed a pattern of misconduct and multiple serious violations of the rules by the Clippers organization, which had previously already violated the salary cap rules".

Initially, Ballmer and the Clippers flatly rejected the findings of the investigation; the team said it would challenge the league's decision "through every avenue available to us."

In a letter addressed to NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Ballmer's lawyer described the investigation as a "witch hunt" and the resulting sanctions as a "serious injustice" .

During the months leading up to the conclusion of the investigation, the Clippers remained firm in their position that they had not committed any wrongdoing and expected to be exonerated .

In the statement issued on Sunday, Ballmer noted that, although "disagreements over the report's conclusions persist," he did not want the matter to continue being a distraction.