Los Angeles Clippers officially appointed lawyer John Gibson as interim govenor and CEO..

The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the Los Angeles Clippers have appointed renowned Los Angeles lawyer John Gibson as interim govenor and CEO.

According to the report, Gibson's appointment has been approved by the NBA. The prominent Los Angeles trial lawyer will be the Clippers' top decision-maker for basketball and business operations over the next year.

Meanwhile, according to LinkedIn, Gibson, a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Michigan Law School, is a long-time season ticket holder for the Clippers. In addition to being a trial lawyer, he was also a litigation partner at the Los Angeles law firm DLA Piper.

Following the announcement of his appointment, Gibson said through the Los Angeles Clippers' official website: "I am honoured to take on this responsibility and grateful for the opportunity to serve an organization I have supported for many years."

Gibson's joining the Clippers comes nearly three weeks after the NBA imposed its most severe penalty in history on the team on September 2, 2026.

Prior to this, the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz conducted a nearly year-long investigation into the Clippers. The investigation at the time revolved around the NBA's investigation into former star Kawhi Leonard's alleged circumvention of the salary cap.

Ultimately, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was found guilty and faced a one-year suspension.

In addition to Ballmer's suspension, the NBA also imposed a $30 million fine, forfeited five first-round draft picks, and suspended team executives Lawrence Frank and Gillian Zucker.

Ballmer recently issued a statement accepting the league's ruling, stating that although he still disagrees with the investigation's findings, "We are complying with the league's decision, have paid the fine, and will move forward."

Image source: Internet / The Athletic