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41m ago

NBA Opens Investigation Into Alleged $28 Million ‘No‑Show’ Deal Involving Kawhi Leonard

The inquiry follows reporting that a Ballmer-backed company paid Leonard through his LLC under an agreement that allowed him to do no work.

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Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, left, with Kawhi Leonard at Leonard's team introduction in 2019.
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Overview

  • Pablo Torre’s reporting cites documents and former employees alleging a four-year, $28 million endorsement from Aspiration to KL2 Aspire LLC starting in 2022, with a clause letting Leonard decline any requested action.
  • Bankruptcy filings from March list KL2 Aspire LLC, managed by Leonard, as a creditor owed about $7 million by Aspiration, which had previously invested in and sponsored the Clippers.
  • Multiple former Aspiration employees told Torre the arrangement was intended to circumvent the NBA salary cap, and documents routed payments through advisor Dennis Robertson, with a clause tying compensation to Leonard remaining a Clipper.
  • The Clippers and Steve Ballmer deny any misconduct, noting their sponsorship ended in the 2022–23 season after Aspiration’s default and saying they were unaware of improper activity, as the NBA confirms it has commenced an investigation.
  • Aspiration’s co‑founder has pleaded guilty to fraud, and if the league ultimately finds circumvention, possible penalties under the CBA include fines, forfeiture of draft picks and the potential voiding of contracts.