Overview
- The league retained Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz with its own investigator consulting, signaling a serious, formal probe.
- Reporting alleges Leonard held a roughly $28 million no‑show endorsement with bankrupt Aspiration, with a follow‑up claiming an additional $20 million in stock.
- The Clippers deny any salary‑cap circumvention and say they are cooperating, while Ballmer confirms a $50 million Aspiration investment and says he only made an introduction.
- Aspiration co‑founder Joseph Sanberg has pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud in a separate case, heightening scrutiny of the company’s dealings.
- New details such as a team‑issued Kawhi Leonard bobblehead bearing Aspiration branding, plus vocal concern from rival executives, have intensified calls for accountability and highlighted the risk of steep CBA penalties if violations are found.