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Clippers Owner Ballmer Says He Had No Idea About Leonard Deal: Report
The NBA probes a $28 million endorsement deal linked to Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and Kawhi Leonard amid allegations of salary cap circumvention involving bankrupt Aspiration.
- On September 3, 2025, the NBA initiated an inquiry concerning the Los Angeles Clippers and their owner Steve Ballmer over accusations that a $28 million endorsement deal involving Kawhi Leonard and Aspiration was used to bypass the salary cap.
- This probe arose after journalist Pablo Torre reported that the Clippers arranged a no-show endorsement contract for Leonard through Aspiration, a now-bankrupt company funded partly by Ballmer to bypass salary cap rules.
- Ballmer stated he was unaware of the arrangement, called those responsible fraudsters, and said he invested in Aspiration believing it was legitimate while the Clippers denied misconduct and affirmed player sponsorship deals are standard.
- The $28 million, four-year contract Leonard signed in 2021 with Aspiration allegedly included no promotional obligations, and penalties for violations of salary cap rules could include fines up to $7.5 million, draft pick losses, contract voiding, and suspensions.
- The investigation implies severe consequences for the Clippers and Leonard, while some analysts note voiding Leonard's contract might financially benefit the team and Ballmer called for a serious league inquiry into the fraudulent financials.
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Clippers owner Ballmer says he had no idea about Leonard deal: report
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer says he had no idea that a sponsor of his NBA club reportedly was paying superstar Kawhi Leonard $28 million for a no-work job.
·Missoula, United States
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The Los Angeles superstar Clippers Kawhi Leonard is the subject of an NBA investigation. The winger allegedly signed a contract of $28 million for a fictitious job.
·Paris, France
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources29
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution36% Left, 36% Center
Bias Distribution
- 36% of the sources lean Left, 36% of the sources are Center
36% Center
L 36%
C 36%
R 29%
Factuality
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