LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 10: Team owner Steve Ballmer of the LA Clippers looks on during the second half of a game against the Toronto Raptors at Crypto.com Arena on January 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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With LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer serving a one-year suspension for his involvement with Kawhi Leaonard’s salary cap circumvention case, the organization has named John S. Gibson as its interim Chief Executive Officer and Governor.
Gibson has worked as a trial lawyer and litigation partner at DLA Piper in Los Angeles. Gibson has also advised and represented major corporations, technology and health care companies, professional sports organizations, and business leaders on legal and business matters for over 35 years. Gibson has also been a Clippers’ season ticket holder.
“I am honored to take on this responsibility and grateful for the opportunity to serve an organization I have supported for many years,” Gibson said in the Clippers’ statement released on Monday. “The Clippers have talented players, coaches, and staff, an extraordinary home in Intuit Dome, and passionate Clipper Nation fans who, like me, care deeply about this team. My focus will be on supporting our people, providing steady leadership, and helping the organization continue moving forward.”
Per the terms of the NBA’s imposed one-year suspension, Ballmer cannot conduct any business on behalf of the Clippers, attend the NBA’s Board of Governor’s meetings or even attend any games and practices. The NBA also suspended the Clippers’ president of business operations Gillian Zucker (one year without pay) and to the president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank (six months without pay). During that time, the Clippers said that Gibson will oversee the franchise’s basketball and business operations and represent the organization on NBA governance matters.
Gibson has earned various awards in his field. In 2025, he was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyer. He has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America and the National Top 100 Black Lawyers. Gibson is also the founding chair of the United Nations’ AI for Good Law track. But Gibson oversees a hefty challenge with overseeing the Clippers on an interim basis.
The NBA took away the Clippers’ five first-round picks (2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033). They fined the organization $30 million. Since then, the Clippers and Toronto Raptors finalized a previously negotiated trade that entailed dealing Leonard for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, a first-round pick swap and two second-round draft picks. The Clippers have not immediately determined who will lead their front office during Frank’s suspension.
“That’s the most difficult part of adjudicating these disputes. There have to be competitive consequences,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said last week following the league’s Board of Governor’s meeting in New York City. “Our view is these rules are violated, we still want to be a 30-team league. We recognize that in some ways, we’re unfortunately punishing the fans of that team as well. That’s the balance we’re trying to seek. I don’t think in any way that we’ve done permanent damage to that franchise. But there’s no question that it’s a setback for the team. But the ultimate goal of these type of sanctions is to ensure other teams don’t engage in this type of behavior in the future.”
The Clippers initially denounced the NBA’s punishment announce on Sept. 2 after an outside law firm (Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz) and “found a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations by the Clippers organization.” The Clippers called the investigation “a witch hunt” and vowed they would be “exploring every legal remedy to address the gross injustice.” Last week, however, Ballmer announced that he has accepted the punishment.
“We have communicated to the NBA that we are complying with the penalties assessed by the league, have paid the fine, and are moving forward,” Ballmer said in a written statement. “While there are still disagreements concerning the findings in the report, this is not where I want to focus. Team owners should support, not distract.”
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