Kawhi Leonard Had Additional $20M Stock Deal With Aspiration Co Founder

In addition to his $28 million endorsement contract with Aspiration, Kawhi Leonard allegedly also had a separate deal where he would receive an additional $20 million in company stock, reports John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal. The stock came from co-founder Joseph Sanberg’s personal holdings in the company over four years and bring Leonard’s promised compensation to $48 million. Pablo Torre, who first broke original story involving Leonard and Aspiration, confirmed the $20 million stock deal.

When Leonard’s deals were agreed upon in November 2021, Aspiration was raising $600 million with a $50 million direct investment from Ballmer. 

Because Aspiration has filed for bankruptcy, Leonard never received any actual money in the $20 million stock deal and he is also still owed a portion of the original $28 million endorsement deal.

The Los Angeles Clippers have denied any involvement in Leonard’s endorsement deal beyond the initial introduction, which is common practice for NBA teams. The NBA is investigating the circumstances.