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7m ago

Ballmer Donation to Sanberg Surfaces as NBA Scrutinizes Kawhi–Aspiration Deal

New records challenge Steve Ballmer’s claim he was conned during the league’s ongoing inquiry.

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Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban watches the game between the Dallas Wings and the Indiana Fever during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Mar 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank watches in the first half against the Sacramento Kings at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Pablo Torre reported that Ballmer Group sent a $1.875 million grant in December 2024 to Golden State Opportunity, a charity run by Aspiration co‑founder Joe Sanberg, months after the Clippers ended business with Aspiration and after federal interviews began.
  • Newly aired messages show Kawhi Leonard’s agent, Mitch Frankel, pressing Aspiration in November 2022 for a late $1.75 million payment, with bank statements indicating Clippers minority owner Dennis Wong wired about $1.99 million to Aspiration days before the payout.
  • A former Clippers official told Torre there is “no way” the team did not know about Leonard’s Aspiration arrangement, challenging the franchise’s stance that it was unaware.
  • The NBA’s independent investigation remains active, and Commissioner Adam Silver has said the league will require clear evidence before imposing any discipline.
  • At media day, team president Lawrence Frank said the Clippers welcome the probe and expect exoneration, even as agents and executives around the league call a roughly $7 million annual no‑show endorsement out of line with typical deals.