"Leonard, one of the NBA's most sought-after free agents, signed a four-year, $176 million contract renewal with the Clippers during the 2021-22 off-season - the maximum allowed under league rules at the time. But Torre reported that in early 2022, Leonard's LLC, KL2 Aspire, signed a cash and equity deal amounting to roughly $50 million through a brand sponsorship with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt financial technology startup that marketed itself as a climate-friendly bank."
"Torre highlighted how the sponsorship coincided with major investments in Aspiration by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and another team investor. The arrangement, Torre suggested, looked less like a conventional endorsement deal and more like a "no-show" side payment that could have helped the Clippers keep their star without technically violating the salary cap. Leonard has denied that the partnership was improper, insisting he fulfilled his contractual obligations. The Clippers and Ballmer have also rejected claims of wrongdoing."
In September 2025 allegations emerged that the Los Angeles Clippers used a side deal involving Aspiration to direct roughly $50 million to Kawhi Leonard through his LLC, KL2 Aspire. Leonard had signed a four-year, $176 million contract renewal with the Clippers in the 2021–22 off-season. The Aspiration arrangement coincided with major investments in the fintech by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and another team investor, prompting questions about whether the sponsorship functioned as a no‑show payment to sidestep NBA salary‑cap rules. Leonard, the Clippers, and Ballmer denied impropriety. The NBA opened an investigation and Aspiration later filed for bankruptcy.
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