NBA Finds No Evidence Steve Ballmer Used Sponsors to Pay Kawhi Leonard
The NBA has concluded its investigation into allegations that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer used team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard and circumvent the league's salary cap, according to ESPN. The NBA began its probe nearly a year ago after allegations surfaced that Ballmer invested $50 million into Aspiration, a tree-planting company, and the Clippers signed a $300 million deal with the company in September 2021.
Aspiration then signed a $28 million endorsement deal with Leonard in April 2022. However, the league found no evidence to support the claims that Ballmer used these deals to funnel money to Leonard. Nonetheless, the NBA is still investigating whether the Clippers violated any league rules by introducing Leonard to these team sponsors, potentially facing a violation of the league's rules prohibiting salary cap circumvention.
The Clippers traded Leonard to the Toronto Raptors this offseason, but the trade is currently on hold until the NBA releases the outcome of the full investigation.
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