The NBA is looking into a report that Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard allegedly signed a $28 million (A$43 million) no-show marketing agreement to circumvent the salary cap.
“We are aware of this morning’s media report regarding the LA Clippers and are commencing an investigation,” NBA spokesperson Mike Bass told the NY Post in a statement.
The allegations came to light in an episode of the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast\, which reported that a San Francisco-based, environmental start-up company — partially funded by a $50 million investment from Clippers owner Steve Ballmer — named Aspiration had inked Leonard to a four-year endorsement deal.
But the deal was a “no-show job” that was designed to help get around the league’s salary cap, according to the podcast’s report.
The most recent twist: https://www.sportbible.com/nba/la-clipp ... 5-20250911
Several former Aspiration employees have alleged that the four-year $28 million endorsement deal Leonard signed in 2022 was designed to circumvent the salary cap. Now, fresh allegations have emerged involving Clippers minority owner Dennis Wong.
According to reports, Wong invested nearly $2 million into Aspiration, who then paid Leonard $1.75 million as part of his endorsement deal.
Probably the biggest contract scandal since Joe Smith and the Minnesota Timberwolves 25 years ago. That's the comparison that a lot of people have been making. It remains to be seen how hard the league will come down on the Clippers and Kawhi, but it's definitely a stain on his reputation. It sounds like he and Uncle Dennis made a few improper requests along these lines while negotiating with other teams as well.
Speaking of which, other teams are reportedly understandably mad, though you do wonder who else might've made similar agreements in recent years. There might be a couple of other teams who don't want the league to look too closely at them, either.
