The Los Angeles Clippers and their superstar Kawhi Leonard are now at the center of an NBA investigation that could have serious consequences for both the player and the franchise. The league confirmed it is looking into claims that the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer may have found a way to secretly boost Leonard’s earnings through off-the-books financial arrangements.
At the heart of the controversy is Aspiration, a company in which Ballmer invested heavily. Shortly after his €43 million injection into the firm, the Clippers announced a massive $257 million sponsorship deal with the same company. Around the same time, Leonard reportedly signed a four-year, $28 million agreement with Aspiration — a deal that, according to reports, required no promotional work and was valid only while he remained with the Clippers.
Critics have pointed to the timing as suspicious, with one former employee even describing the arrangement as a deliberate move to “circumvent the salary cap.” If the NBA rules the deal as improper, the penalties could be crushing. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, sanctions may include fines of up to €6.5 million, loss of draft picks, contract cancellations, and even suspensions for team executives.
The Clippers, however, have come out strongly to defend themselves. In a statement, the team insisted that “neither Steve Ballmer nor the Clippers circumvented the salary cap or engaged in any misconduct.” They further argued that players are fully allowed to sign sponsorship deals with partner companies, dismissing suggestions of foul play as “absurd.”
This is not the first time Leonard’s name has been linked with controversy in Los Angeles. Back in 2019, the Clippers were fined after then-head coach Doc Rivers publicly compared Leonard to Michael Jordan. There were also whispers of questionable demands from Leonard’s camp during his free agency period, though those allegations were never proven.
Despite the noise, Leonard remains a cornerstone of the franchise. The 34-year-old forward, who re-signed with the Clippers in January 2024 on a three-year deal, is under contract until 2027. As the investigation unfolds, both he and the team are preparing for a season that could be overshadowed by the league’s findings.
