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Leonard's statement
Leonard's statement accepted full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people in his inner circle and expressed regret for the distraction to fans and his family. He added that he is focused on what he can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate. His case was resolved through a settlement between the league and the players union.
The letter to Silver
The Clippers answered with a letter to Commissioner Adam Silver. It called the investigation flawed from the outset, called the decision to issue the report without notice to the team or its counsel inexcusable, and described the process as a witch hunt. The team said it is exploring every legal remedy.
The team's rebuttal
A separate statement rejected the findings as the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative. It said the team cooperated fully and in good faith for the past year and will fight just as hard to demonstrate its innocence. The team also said Steve Ballmer has spent nearly $50 million funding the investigation. The findings themselves noted that the Clippers' outside counsel at times delayed responding to requests for information and operated in an adversarial or obfuscatory manner, while adding that counsel represented the team zealously.
How do players settle discipline with the league?
Under the collective bargaining agreement, a player can challenge discipline through a grievance process run with the players union. If the two sides cannot agree, an independent arbitrator can rule on the case. A settlement ends that process by agreement, with terms accepted by the league, the union, and the player. Settlements in sports discipline often include a fine or suspension that both sides have signed off on.
How can owners challenge league penalties?
Owners agree to the league's constitution when they buy in, and it sets out the commissioner's disciplinary powers and where challenges go. A team can also file suit in court, though courts have generally been reluctant to overturn the decisions of private associations that followed their own rules. Cases usually turn on whether the league followed its own procedures. Several past disputes between owners and leagues have been settled before reaching a verdict.
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