"A limited partner with the LA Clippers reportedly sent nearly $2 million to a now-bankrupt company that allegedly gave Kawhi Leonard an endorsement deal for a "no-show job" less than 10 days before the star forward was paid $1.75 million by the company, the podcast "Pablo Torre Finds Out" reported Thursday. The company, Aspiration, reportedly agreed to a $28 million endorsement deal with Leonard in 2021."
"Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested $50 million through his personal LLC in September 2021, and the Clippers announced a $300 million partnership with Aspiration two weeks later. Torre reported that Leonard agreed to a four-year, $28 million endorsement deal in April 2022 -- nine months after he re-signed with the Clippers. On Thursday, Torre reported that Dennis J. Wong, a Clippers limited partner, invested $1.99 million in Aspiration nine days before the company made a $1.75 million payment to Leonard."
"On Wednesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said it would be up to the NBA to prove wrongdoing by the Clippers. "I think as with any process that requires a fundamental sense of fairness, the burden should be on the party that is, in essence, bringing those charges," Silver said during his annual news conference at the conclusion of the league's board of governors meetings."
A limited partner with the LA Clippers sent $1.99 million to Aspiration nine days before Aspiration paid Kawhi Leonard $1.75 million. Aspiration agreed to a four-year, $28 million endorsement deal with Leonard in April 2022. Steve Ballmer invested $50 million through his personal LLC in September 2021, and the Clippers announced a $300 million partnership with Aspiration two weeks later. The payment to Leonard was late, Aspiration experienced financial troubles and ultimately declared bankruptcy. An unnamed Aspiration employee said the deal "was to circumvent the salary cap." The NBA is investigating potential league-rule violations, and the Clippers deny wrongdoing.
Read at ESPN.com
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