The Los Angeles Clippers have been accused of circumventing the NBA’s salary cap, as Kawhi Leonard was allegedly given a “no-show job”.
The Clippers could be fined by the NBA, and they could also lose draft picks if they are found guilty of the allegations.
Leonard Allegedly Paid $28 Million for Company He Did No Work For
The allegations were made by Pablo Torre of the “Pablo Torres Finds Out” podcast on Wednesday morning.
As usual, the internet was quick to jump on the allegations.
It is claimed that Leonard was signed to endorse Aspiration, an environmental company that received a $50 million investment from Clippers’ owner Steve Ballmer. The endorsement deal with for $28 million over four years and signed in 2022. It’s alleged that Leonard didn’t do any work for this company. This came just under a year after Leonard signed a four-year, $176.3 million contract with the Clippers.
However, a person associated with Aspiration, which is now bankrupt, said to Torre:
“We went through a litany of really, really top-tier name contracts, and then (someone would say), ‘Oh, by the way, we also have a marketing deal with Kawhi Leonard, like a $28 million organic marketing sponsorship deal with Kawhi. And (they’d say) that if I had any questions about it, essentially don’t (ask), because it was to ‘circumvent the salary cap. LOL.’ There was lots of LOL when things were shared.”
The Clippers have denied any wrongdoing, responding:
“Neither Mr. Ballmer 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. Ballmer was aware of any improper activity by Aspiration or its co-founder until after the government instituted its investigation. The team and Mr. Ballmer stand ready to assist law enforcement in any way they can.”
What Could Happen to the Clippers and Leonard?
In terms of this season, the Clippers’ NBA championship odds probably aren’t going to move. Leonard is likely in the clear, although there may be a fine of some sort.
The bigger concern might belong to Ballmer, who can shoulder a fine as he is worth $118 billion. But it would be a hefty fine, and the Clippers would likely lose draft picks. In 2000, the Minnesota Timberwolves were found guilty of circumventing the cap, and were fined $2.5 million, along with losing five first-round draft picks.
On the court, it should be business as usual for the Clippers this season. But off the court, things could get scary for Ballmer and his team!
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