An unnamed source told the podcast that the sponsorship was \u201c1000 per cent a way to circumvent the salary cap. It was funnelling money from the Clippers through Daktronics back to Kawhi.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neither the NBA nor the Clippers had responded to requests for comment as of Thursday night, according to The Athletic and ESPN.<\/p>\n
It was unknown when the reported sponsorship deal began, but according to a spokesperson for Daktronics, Leonard is not under contract with the company, per the report.<\/p>\n
Daktronics designed \u201cThe Halo Board\u201d inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., the Clippers\u2019 US$2 billion arena that opened two years ago, and has produced video boards for several other NBA teams, according to its website.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/UGBEPDENH5GUXMFCLGADE54KIM.jpg\")
Kawhi Leonard Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard descends after making a dunk during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jae C. Hong) <\/p>\n
Last September, the NBA said it was looking into the Clippers for potential violations tied to an allegation they used a company, banking firm Aspiration, to pay Leonard $28 million. Reportedly nothing was asked of Leonard in the \u201cno-show job\u201d that left open concern it was a loophole to pad the amount of guaranteed money the Clippers offered when they signed him as a free agent.<\/p>\n
Aspiration went bankrupt last year, and its co-founder wound up in prison after pleading guilty to fraud charges involving $248 million.<\/p>\n
The Toronto Raptors, who lost Leonard in free agency after winning the 2019 NBA championship, agreed in principle to a trade five weeks ago to bring him back. The deal hasn\u2019t been completed, and the NBA made it clear Toronto \u201cwould assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn light of this,\u201d the Raptors stated, \u201cwe will wait until the league\u2019s investigation is complete.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Clippers, who have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing related to Leonard\u2019s contract, also confirmed the deal was on hold.<\/p>\n
Leonard, 35, is a two-time NBA Finals MVP, having won the award in title runs with the San Antonio Spurs (2014) and Toronto.<\/p>\n
Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games for the Clippers last season. A seven-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, he has made the NBA\u2019s All-Defensive Team seven times.<\/p>\n
–Field Level Media<\/p>\n
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