Overview

• Investigative reporting details $118 million in Ballmer- and Clippers‑linked funding to Aspiration from 2021–2023, including a fast‑tracked $21 million carbon‑credit purchase weeks before Leonard’s first $1.75 million installment.
• Records also show a $1.99 million wire from minority owner Dennis Wong nine days before a scheduled Leonard payment, part of a timeline that sources say kept the bankrupt firm afloat near payout dates.
• Former Aspiration employees characterized Leonard’s reported up to $48 million endorsement as a no‑show arrangement, with no public evidence of promotional work tied to the deal.
• The Clippers deny any cap circumvention, saying investments and credit purchases supported Intuit Dome sustainability goals and arguing Ballmer was deceived by Aspiration’s leadership.
• The NBA’s Wachtell‑led investigation is ongoing and expected to take months, with potential penalties ranging from fines and draft‑pick losses to executive suspensions; analysts view voiding Leonard’s contract as less likely than financial and pick sanctions.