UPDATE: In a shocking revelation, LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has called for an urgent investigation by the NBA into potential salary cap violations involving star player Kawhi Leonard. Ballmer’s statement follows accusations that Leonard received an astonishing $28 million endorsement from the now-bankrupt green banking firm Aspiration, where Ballmer had previously invested.
During his first interview since the allegations surfaced, Ballmer emphasized, “I would want the league to investigate, take it seriously.” His comments come in the wake of a podcast by Pablo Torre, which prompted the NBA to announce it would look into the matter further. This investigation could have serious implications for the Clippers and their future financial dealings.
Ballmer revealed that Aspiration approached him for an introduction to Leonard in November 2021, just three months after the Clippers secured a $173 million contract extension with Leonard. The introduction was part of a larger partnership worth $300 million between the Clippers and Aspiration, which included sponsorship rights in the team’s new arena.
“Salary cap circumvention rules are important to the league and I’d want the league to investigate,” Ballmer stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
As part of his testimony, Ballmer explained that although he facilitated the introduction, he had no knowledge of the endorsement contract between Leonard and Aspiration. “I eventually learned that they had reached a deal. I have no idea what the deal was,” he said, highlighting his disconnect from the endorsement process.
Recent developments have raised questions about Leonard’s business dealings, particularly after former Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg pleaded guilty to wire fraud, defrauding investors of over $248 million. Ballmer expressed embarrassment for failing to detect any warning signs during his investment with Aspiration, which he described as a minimal stake of less than 3%. “I had no control over this company,” he admitted.
Ballmer’s comments come on the heels of previous allegations against Leonard regarding his free agency negotiations in 2019, which led to an NBA investigation that ultimately cleared the Clippers of any wrongdoing. In light of the current accusations, the league announced it would reopen the investigation if new evidence emerges.
When questioned about the repeated allegations surrounding Leonard, Ballmer remarked, “I don’t know. I think because he, relatively doesn’t speak much, I think there’s a lot of mystery around Kawhi.” He emphasized the strong relationship he maintains with Leonard, stating, “We’ve always done the right thing in all those interactions.”
As the NBA’s investigation unfolds, the implications for the Clippers and their roster could be significant. Fans and analysts are left wondering how these events will impact the team’s future and Leonard’s standing within the franchise. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.