Federal prosecutors open criminal investigation into allegations that Clippers helped arrange sponsorship contracts for Kawhi Leonard

Federal prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into allegations that the Los Angeles Clippers helped set up clandestine sponsorship deals for star player Kawhi Leonard that violated the league's salary cap, according to sources familiar with the situation. The inquiry is currently in its preliminary stages and is being handled by the U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn, a department with a long-standing tradition of investigating the NBA and professional sports, two sources disclosed.

The authorities commenced their probe into the matter prior to the NBA imposing a series of significant penalties last week on the Clippers, its owner, and two senior executives, following a law firm representing the NBA and commissioner Adam Silver's conclusion that the team had undertaken a broad campaign to undermine the league's rules.