NBA Finds No Evidence Steve Ballmer Used Sponsors to Pay Kawhi Leonard
The NBA reportedly has no evidence that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer used team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard.
The NBA has concluded its investigation into allegations that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer used sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard and circumvent the league's salary cap, according to ESPN. The probe began in September, following allegations made by podcaster Pablo Torre. Torre claimed that Ballmer invested $50 million into tree-planting company Aspiration, and in September 2021, the Clippers signed a $300 million deal with the company.
Later, in April 2022, Aspiration struck a $28 million endorsement deal with Leonard. The investigation also examined deals with Daktronics and Boingo Wireless, but found no evidence to support the claims. While there is no direct evidence tying Ballmer to funneling funds to Leonard through these sponsors, the NBA is still looking into whether the Clippers violated league rules by connecting Leonard to these sponsors.
The league is particularly focusing on potential breaches of the salary cap circumvention rules. The Clippers have since traded Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, a move currently on hold until the NBA completes its full investigation.
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