In the latest episode of the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast, released Wednesday, seven former employees of Aspiration, a San Francisco-based environmental start-up that received a $50 million investment from Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, claimed that Kawhi Leonard’s four-year, $28 million endorsement deal in 2022 was essentially a “no-show job” designed to “circumvent the NBA salary cap.”
According to those ex-employees, Leonard was allegedly funneled millions through the now-bankrupt company, which had direct ties to both the LA Clippers and Ballmer, allowing him to be compensated beyond what league salary rules permit.
Clippers Releases the Statement Claims of Salary Cap Circumvention in Leonard Deal
In response to Pablo Torre’s bombshell report, the Clippers released a statement vehemently denying any suggestion of wrongdoing. The team rejected claims that owner Ballmer invested in Aspiration to funnel money to Leonard, stating instead that Ballmer supported the company because of its environmental mission, only to be defrauded along with other investors.
Clippers statement: pic.twitter.com/2nZR75JCTo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 4, 2025
“There is nothing unusual or improper about team sponsors signing endorsement deals with players from the same team. Neither Steve nor the Clippers organization had any involvement in Kawhi’s independent agreement with Aspiration. To suggest otherwise is flat-out wrong,” the Clippers said in their statement.
NBA Investigating the Report
The NBA has launched an investigation into a report by Pablo Torre.
“We are aware of this morning’s media report regarding the LA Clippers and are commencing an investigation,” NBA spokesperson Mike Bass told The New York Post in a statement.
Kawhi Leonard joined the Clippers in 2019 on a four-year, $141 million contract before signing a four-year, $176 million extension in 2021. He later agreed to a three-year, $149 million deal that runs through the 2026-27 season.
That contract includes $149.5 million guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $49.8 million. For the 2025-26 season, Leonard is set to earn a $50 million base salary, which also counts as his cap hit and dead cap value. The disputed $28 million marketing agreement reportedly began during his first re-signing period.
