Biggest Fines In Sports History
Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers just got hit with a historic punishment, but sports have seen some even more expensive mistakes.
Black News 
There are fines, and then there are punishments that can change the direction of an entire franchise. The Los Angeles Clippers found themselves in the latter category after the NBA concluded its investigation into the team’s dealings involving Kawhi Leonard and off-court compensation. The league found that the Clippers violated salary-cap circumvention rules by helping facilitate endorsement opportunities for Leonard with companies doing business with the organization.
The punishment was massive. The Clippers were fined $30 million and ordered to forfeit five consecutive first-round draft picks from 2029 through 2033, while owner Steve Ballmer was suspended from league and team activities for one year. President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker received a one-year suspension without pay, Lawrence Frank was suspended for six months, and Leonard himself was ordered to pay the league $700,000. The franchise will also operate under an NBA compliance and monitoring program for five years.
That is an almost unbelievable price to pay, but the Clippers aren’t the first sports organization — or sports figure — to watch millions disappear because of a scandal or rules violation. From an infamous Formula 1 espionage scandal to illegal recruiting, sign-stealing and some of the ugliest ownership controversies we’ve seen, leagues have occasionally decided a normal slap on the wrist wasn’t going to cut it. Here are 10 of the biggest fines and financial penalties in sports history, ranked by the announced dollar amount.
1. McLaren — $100 Million
Formula 1 handed McLaren a staggering $100 million fine in 2007 during the scandal that became known as “Spygate.” Ferrari technical information had come into the possession of McLaren personnel, leading the FIA to conclude that the team had breached the International Sporting Code. McLaren was also stripped of all of its points in the 2007 Constructors’ Championship, although Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were allowed to keep their individual driver points. The $100 million figure remains one of the most eye-popping financial punishments ever announced in professional sports.
