Report Alleges Kawhi Leonard Received $28M Endorsement Deal From Company With Ties To Clippers

Kawhi Leonard signed a four-year, $28 million deal endorsement deal with a tree-planting company called Aspiration that contractually required no services from the All-Star and also required him to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to reporting from Pablo Torre.

Steve Ballmer allegedly funded $50 million from his personal LLC in addition to a $315 million investment from Oak Tree Capital, which Ballmer is also affiliated with.

“It was to circumvent the salary cap,” an inside source told Torre.

The endorsement contract surfaced because Aspiration filed for bankruptcy and its co-founder, Joseph Sanberg, agreed to plead guilty to a $248 million scheme to defraud investors and leaders. 

The Clippers issued the following statement to Torre when reached for comment.

“Neither Mr. Balmer nor the Clippers circumvented the salary cap or engaged in any misconduct related to Aspiration. Any contrary assertion is provably false. The team ended its relationship with Aspiration years ago during the 2022-23 season when Aspiration defaulted on its obligations. Neither the Clippers nor Mr. Balmer was aware of any improper activity by Aspiration or its co-founder until after the government instituted its investigation. The team and Mr. Balmer stand ready to assist law enforcement in any way they can.”

When Leonard signed with the Clippers in 2019, the NBA investigated allegations that his uncle, Dennis Robertson, asked for impermissible benefits to entice him in free agency. The NBA’s investigation found no evidence.

Leonard initially signed with the Clippers on a three-year, $104 million contract before extending in 2021 on a four-year, $176 million contract. Leonard’s LLC to receive funds from the Aspiration endorsement deal was formed in November 2021 before the endorsement contract was signed in the first half of 2022. Leonard signed a three-year, $149 million contract extension with the Clippers in 2024.