The ongoing investigation revolving around the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard for allegedly paying him under the table is dragging on, but a new revelation involving the NBA star and a Rhode Island soccer club has emerged.

Recent reports suggest that Leonard and his inner circle were “quietly embedding themselves” as investors in Rhode Island Football Club. Those included in his group were his uncle, Dennis Robertson, and former agent Mitch Frankel.

They allegedly got involved around the time that founder Brett Johnson was having a hard time securing enough private financing for the construction of the club’s 10,000-seat stadium in Pawtucket. The project would cost over $130 million. Rhode Island FC reportedly never disclosed the identities of its full ownership group.

Leonard’s involvement came as a surprise to those closely involved in the project. Governor Dan McKee, who cast a tie-breaking vote in favor of public subsidies for the stadium back in 2022, conceded that he “knew there were some players” involved in the project, but he said he didn’t “really” know if Leonard was part of it.

Weirdly enough, there is no record of Leonard visiting the stadium he partly owns. He hasn’t attended a game or appeared in the club’s promotional materials.

When Leonard was owed money from Aspiration through his holding company, KL2 Aspire LLC, Joseph Sanberg, the co-founder of Aspiration, Robertson, Frankel, and Leonard started forming a new business relationship that would be tied to Rhode Island FC.

Leonard and Robertson incorporated two new entities, KL2 RIFC Real Estate LLC and KL2 RIFC LLC, in California in January 2024, which linked them to the club. Robertson subsequently formed another entity, DRR RIFC Real Estate LLC, in Florida in the fall of 2025.

The investigation of the Clippers and Leonard stems from suspicion that the team was funneling money to Leonard through a $28 million endorsement deal. The deal was done with the now-bankrupt green banking company Aspiration. However, the Clippers have repeatedly stood by their stance that Leonard wasn’t compensated through the company.

As the investigation continues, which is holding up the Clippers trading him back to the Toronto Raptors, the consequences could be big. The Clippers could be fined up to $7.5 million, and they might have to directly forfeit draft picks. They’d also have to potentially void a player’s contract, and it could result in a suspension of up to a year for any personnel involved.

The latest report suggests this saga could drag into not only next season but 2027. While the belief is the trade will still ultimately go through, there are still so many questions about the whole situation.

The ongoing investigation revolving around the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard for allegedly paying him under the table is dragging on, but a new revelation involving the NBA star and a Rhode Island soccer club has emerged. Recent reports suggest that Leonard and his inner circle were “quietly embedding themselves” as investors in Rhode Island Football Club.