Add The California Post on Google The Clippers have found the temporary replacement for the franchise’s majority owner/CEO Steve Ballmer.
John Gibson, a Los Angeles-based lawyer, has been named the franchise’s interim governor and CEO.
The decision came after Ballmer was suspended for one year after the NBA’s investigation into the franchise’s salary cap circumvention allegations for former star forward Kawhi Leonard found that the league initiated “off-court income opportunities” for Leonard with four different companies that also did business with the team.
Gibson is a longtime Clippers season-ticket holder and was a “nationally recognized trial lawyer and litigation partner” at DLA Piper in Los Angeles.
He’s a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Michigan Law School.
As interim CEO and Governor, Gibson will oversee the Clippers’ basketball and business operations and represent the organization on NBA governance matters.
“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 statement via the Clippers. “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.”
Gibson’s appointment came nearly three weeks after the NBA handed down its harshest punishments after a year-long investigation by the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
Along with Ballmer’s suspension, the NBA issued the Clippers a $30 million fine, forced the franchise to forfeit five first-round picks and suspended president of business operations Gillian Zucker (one year) and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank (six months).
Ballmer issued a statement last week making it clear he and the franchise was accepting the penalties.
Leonard was forced to pay the NBA $700,000 for restitution for improper benefits provided by the Clippers, while his uncle and former business manager, Dennis Robertson, has been banned by the NBA from all business dealings for five years.
