Dan Le Batard teased Wednesday\u2019s episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out by claiming that it would be the show\u2019s biggest bombshell yet. And Torre\u2019s reporting didn\u2019t disappoint, as it provided evidence claiming that the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard seemingly circumvented the NBA salary cap with a $28 million no-show endorsement deal.<\/p>\n
In the episode<\/a>, Torre reveals documents indicating that an LLC belonging to Leonard is listed among the creditors owed money by a company called Aspiration, which Clippers owner Steve Balmer had invested in<\/a>. The Meadowlark Media host also discovered an agreement revealing the former climate-finance company had agreed to pay the 2-time NBA Finals MVP $28 million for endorsement purposes, although there isn\u2019t any evidence \u2014 public or otherwise \u2014 that he actually performed such services.<\/p>\n Torre also interviewed seven former Aspiration employees, one of which agreed to discuss the matter on camera with their identity sealed. The ex-employee, who worked in the company\u2019s finance department, stated that it was well known within the company that Leonard\u2019s endorsement deal was a no-show job.<\/p>\n \u201cI was told, \u2018oh these are the major contracts and the major players you really need to be aware of,’\u201d the ex-employee recalled. \u201cAnd we went through a litany of really really top-tier name contracts\u00a0 And then, \u2018oh, by the way, we also have a marketing deal with Kawhi Leonard. A $28 million organic marketing sponsorship deal with Kawhi.\u2019 And that if I had any questions about it, \u2018essentially don\u2019t because it was to circumvent the salary cap.’\u201d<\/p>\n Exclusive: Kawhi Leonard signed a $28M endorsement deal for a \u201cno-show job\u201d with a fraudulent tree-planting company funded by $50M from Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, according to documents obtained by @PabloTorre<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was to circumvent the salary cap,\u201d an inside source says. pic.twitter.com\/F6z5pNEkI1<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) September 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n In response, the Clippers issued a statement to Pablo Torre Finds Out denying that they circumvented the salary cap or engaged in any misconduct connected to Aspiration and that any claim to the contrary is \u201cprovably false.\u201d The NBA had previously investigated claims that Leonard\u2019s uncle and representative had sought illegal benefits during his free agency recruitment in 2019 and found no evidence that the Clippers granted improper requests.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, the evidence and allegations presented by Torre are certainly notable and this doesn\u2019t appear to be a story that will be going away anytime soon. The episode also marks PTFO\u2018s debut for The Athletic, as Torre adds to an impressive 2025 run that also included reporting on Bill Belichick\u2019s relationship with Jordon Hudson<\/a> and allegations of misconduct inside the NFL Players Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t