Back to MomentsdevelopingNBA•controversy•Updated 8/25/2026, 9:16:35 PM
Kawhi & Clippers CAUGHT in Salary Cap Scandal
Pablo Torre conducted an investigation into allegations that the Clippers bypassed the salary cap by securing multi-million dollar, no-show promotional deals for Kawhi Leonard with companies such as Aspiration and Daktronics.
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Reviewed by Unleeshed editorsInvestigation into Clippers' Alleged Salary Cap Circumvention Involving Kawhi Leonard
- 1An ongoing NBA investigation focuses on whether the LA Clippers bypassed salary cap rules by funneling hidden compensation to Kawhi Leonard through no-show endorsement deals with companies like Aspiration and Daktronics.
- 2Aspiration, a California-based environmental fintech company, reportedly paid Leonard a $28 million, four-year endorsement deal requiring minimal work; the company later went bankrupt amidst fraud charges against its co-founder, Joseph Sanberg.
- 3The Clippers deny wrongdoing, asserting they did not funnel money to Leonard through Aspiration and are prepared to contest any allegations, including potential arbitration if necessary.
- 4The investigation has delayed a significant trade sending Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, as the NBA review remains unresolved and the league’s outside counsel has not completed its findings.
- 5Kawhi Leonard was also revealed to be an undisclosed minority investor in Rhode Island FC, a USL Championship soccer team, adding complexity to the broader scrutiny of his financial dealings.
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Did Steve Ballmer’s Aspiration fallout damage the Clippers’ NBA reputation?Ron Mitchell · Published on Unleeshedcommentary · 4/23/2026
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