Kawhi Leonard, the star forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, has publicly denied allegations regarding a no-show endorsement deal with Aspiration, a green banking company that recently declared bankruptcy. In a press conference on Monday, Leonard stated that he does not believe claims suggesting he failed to provide any services in exchange for a reported four-year, $28 million contract with the company.
Leonard emphasized, “I understand the full contract and the services that I had to do. I don’t deal with the conspiracies or the clickbait analysts or journalism that’s going on.” His comments follow a report from the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast, which first brought the allegations to light.
The NBA has initiated an investigation into potential violations of league rules surrounding the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer. Concerns have arisen about whether Ballmer and minority owner Dennis Wong, both of whom invested in Aspiration, may have circumvented the league’s salary cap regulations.
In November 2021, following a significant $173 million contract extension with the Clippers, Leonard was introduced to Aspiration by Ballmer. The Clippers had announced a $300 million partnership with Aspiration just two months prior, which included sponsorship opportunities in the team’s new arena and on jerseys. NBA regulations allow teams to introduce sponsors to players, but prohibit involvement in any contract negotiations.
Ballmer stated that he was unaware of the specifics of the endorsement deal Leonard signed with Aspiration. Recent reports from the Boston Sports Journal and Torre indicate that Leonard was additionally awarded $20 million in company stock. Leonard was named among Aspiration’s largest creditors in the bankruptcy filings.
At the Clippers media day, Leonard was queried about the actual payment he received from Aspiration, as he was reportedly owed $7 million. He responded, “I’m not sure, I’ve got to look back at the books. It was more than that for sure.” When asked if he had received the funds owed to him, Leonard replied, “No, but the company went belly up. It was fraud, as everybody knows.”
Ballmer echoed these sentiments, expressing confusion over the lucrative nature of Leonard’s endorsement deal. “These were guys who committed fraud,” he remarked. “Look, they conned me. I made an investment in these guys thinking they were on the up and up, and they conned me.”
Leonard welcomed the NBA’s investigation, expressing confidence that it would clear him of any wrongdoing. “The NBA is going to do their job,” he said. “None of us did no wrongdoing. That’s it. We invite the investigations. It’s not going to be a distraction for me or the rest of the team.”
As the investigation unfolds, both Leonard and Ballmer’s statements highlight the complexities surrounding endorsements and potential conflicts of interest in professional sports. With the Clippers looking ahead to the new season, the outcomes of these inquiries may have significant implications for the organization and its star player.
