Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is fully supportive of the NBA’s decision to investigate Kawhi Leonard’s $28-million “no-show” endorsement deal with Aspiration.
Aspiration is a “green bank” and tree planting company that received a $50-million investment from Ballmer and is currently under federal investigation for fraud. It was reported earlier this week by journalist Pablo Torre that the Clippers circumvented the league’s salary cap by paying Leonard through the third-party company.
Ballmer said Aspiration asked to be introduced to Leonard in November 2021, three months after the two-time Finals MVP signed a four-year, $173-million extension to remain in L.A. But the former Microsoft CEO said he was unaware of the financial terms of their endorsement deal nor gave the now-bankrupt company any direction to sign the Clippers forward to such a contract.