Last Updated:September 06, 2025, 09:27 IST
Steve Ballmer and the Clippers deny wrongdoing as the NBA investigates Kawhi Leonard’s $28 million Aspiration deal for possible salary cap violations after Aspiration’s bankruptcy.
LA Clippers’ Steve Ballmer with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver (X)
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said he fully supports the NBA’s investigation into whether a $28 million endorsement contract involving star forward Kawhi Leonard violated league salary cap rules.
Speaking to ESPN on Thursday, Ballmer insisted both he and the franchise have done nothing wrong.
“Salary cap circumvention rules are important to the league, and I’d want the league to investigate if another team was accused of the same thing,” Ballmer said.
The Aspiration Connection
At the center of the probe is Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC, a California-based “green banking” company that filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. Ballmer confirmed he once invested $50 million in Aspiration and said he personally introduced Leonard to the company.
As part of his cooperation with the investigation, Ballmer said he has been reviewing all past interactions with Aspiration.
The company’s co-founder, Joseph Sanberg, pleaded guilty last month to federal wire fraud charges, with prosecutors alleging he defrauded investors and lenders out of more than $248 million by inflating revenue.
The Clippers issued a strong denial on Wednesday after journalist Pablo Torre’s report suggested Leonard’s endorsement with Aspiration may have acted as a workaround to supplement his Clippers contract.
“Neither the Clippers nor Steve Ballmer circumvented the salary cap,” the team said in its statement, adding that endorsement deals between sponsors and players are “not unusual or untoward.”
The Clippers had announced a $300 million partnership with Aspiration in 2021, roughly a month after Leonard signed a four-year, $176 million extension. That relationship ended after two years when Aspiration defaulted on the agreement.
What’s At Stake
The NBA has previously scrutinized Leonard’s free-agency negotiations, after rival executives accused his camp of requesting perks considered potential violations of cap rules.
If wrongdoing is confirmed this time, the league could impose severe penalties: fines of up to $7.5 million, the voiding of contracts, or even the forfeiture of draft picks.
For Ballmer, though, the focus remains on transparency: “We are cooperating fully, and I believe the facts will show we’ve acted appropriately.”
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!First Published:
September 06, 2025, 09:27 IST
News sports ‘They Conned Me’: LA Clippers’ Steve Ballmer Laments Amid NBA Probe Of Kawhi Leonard’s $28M DealDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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