{"id":171588,"date":"2025-09-27T00:36:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T00:36:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/171588\/"},"modified":"2025-09-27T00:36:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T00:36:07","slug":"nba-agents-show-concern-over-kawhi-leonards-deal-with-aspiration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/171588\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Agents Show Concern Over Kawhi Leonard’s Deal With Aspiration"},"content":{"rendered":"

The LA Clippers have been making headlines this offseason with Kawhi Leonard’s fishy “no-show job” endorsement deal with Aspiration. Leonard reportedly signed a deal with this tree-planting company that would pay him $28 million over four years, and the Clippers star received all but $7 million of that before the company filed for bankruptcy. <\/p>\n

Not only was a $28 million endorsement deal an abnormal amount of money, but this was a company that was invested in by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, and Leonard never publicly endorsed Aspiration. <\/p>\n

Exclusive: Kawhi Leonard signed a $28M endorsement deal for a “no-show job” with a fraudulent tree-planting company funded by $50M from Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, according to documents obtained by @PabloTorre<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“It was to circumvent the salary cap,” an inside source says. pic.twitter.com\/F6z5pNEkI1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) September 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

This entire situation sent the NBA world into a frenzy, and the league office ultimately decided to launch an investigation into the Clippers, as they are being accused of circumventing the salary cap. <\/p>\n

Not only are fans shocked about this situation, but a few anonymous NBA agents who spoke with The Athletic’s Joe Vardon<\/a> could not believe this “no-show job” either. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe issue here isn\u2019t the cost,\u201d one NBA player agent said. \u201cIf you heard, hypothetically, that a Michael Jordan or a Kobe Bryant had a deal to endorse (a team sponsor), whatever it cost, would you bat an eye? The issue is services rendered, and is the team an investor in the companies giving the players contracts?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"LA<\/p>\n

May 3, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game against the Denver Nuggets during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images \/ Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Of course, many experts have placed the blame on Aspiration, saying that they simply made a mistake of paying Leonard all that money and never using him as an endorsement resource, but too many things align for it to be only on the company. <\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s too much fire here, it\u2019s not just smoke,\u201d another NBA player agent said. \u201cSeven million (annually) for a no-show deal is ridiculous.\u201d<\/p>\n

A third NBA agent revealed how much a normal endorsement deal of this caliber would cost a company, and why this $28 million figure is so absurd. <\/p>\n

\u201cAn outlandish number,\u201d that agent said. \u201cTypically those deals are for somewhere between $500,000 and $1 million, depending on the size of the company, the market, etc.. And you can almost always see their work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Potential Penalties for Clippers and Kawhi Leonard in Circumvention Case<\/p>\n

\u2014Leonard punishments:
\u2022 Void his contract and prohibit him from re-signing with the Clippers<\/p>\n

\u2022 Require him to return the money he received from Aspiration<\/p>\n

\u2022 Fine up to $350,000<\/p>\n

\u2014 Clippers\/Personnel\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/bUt4znnbXG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

While the NBA investigation is ongoing, too many things line up that suggest they are in the wrong. Whether it be the initial $50 million Ballmer invested, the additional $2 million that Dennis Wong put in when Leonard’s payment was running late, or Leonard’s history with under-the-table requests from teams, this situation is not a good look for the Clippers.<\/p>\n