Overview

• NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the league has begun an investigation after media reports surfaced on Wednesday.
• Reporting cites a $28 million sponsorship that would pay $7 million annually to KL2 Aspire tied to Kawhi Leonard, with contract terms allowing him to skip appearances and voiding the deal if he left the Clippers.
• Aspiration’s bankruptcy filings list the Clippers as a creditor for about $30 million and KL2 Aspire for $7 million, and California records identify Leonard as KL2’s manager.
• The Clippers say neither the team nor owner Steve Ballmer evaded salary-cap rules, noting their Aspiration partnership ended after the 2022–23 season and pledging cooperation.
• Aspiration cofounder Joseph Sanberg agreed last month to plead guilty to federal fraud charges alleging a $248 million scheme.