Overview

• League approval was required because the 23-year deal included a jersey patch, and the submission also covered arena signage in Inglewood, according to multiple reports.
• Aspiration later signed Leonard to a four-year, $28 million endorsement in April 2022, a category the NBA does not review under the collective bargaining agreement.
• The NBA retained Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz for an independent probe that could extend into 2026, with any disciplinary case requiring presentation to a neutral arbitrator.
• Steve Ballmer invested $50 million in Aspiration in September 2021 and denies directing or knowing of the Leonard endorsement, as teams may make introductions but cannot join negotiations.
• The Clippers say the sponsorship was terminated before any jersey patch appeared; Aspiration filed for bankruptcy in March 2025 owing the team $30 million, and co-founder Joe Sanberg pleaded guilty to wire fraud in August.