Overview

• Following a Board of Governors meeting, Silver confirmed an independent investigation led by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz into the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard and Aspiration is underway.
• Allegations reported by Pablo Torre say Leonard had a four‑year, $28 million endorsement with Aspiration with little or no deliverables, potentially functioning as a salary‑cap workaround.
• Steve Ballmer invested about $50 million in Aspiration and introduced the company to Leonard, but he denies any improper agreement and says he was deceived as the firm slid into bankruptcy.
• Aspiration co‑founder Joseph Sanberg has agreed to plead guilty to fraud, and the company’s filings have provided documents now informing the league’s review.
• New reporting says Leonard’s camp sought no‑work sponsorship money during 2019 talks with the Raptors, and Clippers sources note they rejected an Aspiration arena‑naming bid nearly double Intuit’s as the league examines intent and potential penalties.