{"id":117421,"date":"2025-09-03T19:02:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T19:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/117421\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T19:02:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T19:02:09","slug":"la-clippers-release-statement-in-wake-of-bombshell-kawhi-leonard-payment-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/117421\/","title":{"rendered":"LA Clippers Release Statement in Wake of Bombshell Kawhi Leonard Payment Report"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The LA Clippers<\/a> have released a statement following a revelation from Pablo Torre<\/a> that star forward Kawhi Leonard<\/a> signed a $28 million endorsement deal with a fraudulent tree-planting company funded by $50 million from team owner Steve Ballmer; it was a “no-show job” to help the Clippers “circumvent” the NBA<\/a> salary cap.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Neither Mr. Ballmer nor the Clippers circumvented the salary-cap or engaged in any misconduct related to Aspiration,” the Clippers said in a statement to The Athletic<\/a>.\u00a0“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.\u00a0Neither the Clippers nor Mr. Ballmer was aware of any improper activity by Aspiration or its co-founder until after the government instituted its investigation.<\/p>\n

“The team and Mr. Ballmer stand ready to assist law enforcement in any way they can.”<\/p>\n

If the reporting of Torre turns out to be accurate and the Clippers did circumvent the salary cap, the punishment, per the current collective bargaining agreement in the NBA, would involve a fine of as much as $4.5 million, the loss of a first-round draft pick and the voiding of Leonard’s contract.<\/p>\n

At the heart of this story is the company “Aspiration,” which received the $50 million from Ballmer, filing for bankruptcy in March and reportedly still owing Leonard $7 million.<\/p>\n

That’s because Leonard is listed as the manager of the corporation “KL2 Aspire LLC,” which is among the creditors that Aspiration owes money to. Aspiration has since faced allegations of fraud.<\/p>\n

Leonard signed with the Clippers in 2019 after winning the NBA Finals with the Toronto Raptors<\/a> the previous season. He signed a three-year, $153 million extension with the Clippers in January 2024 and has signed three contracts total with the franchise, the second one being a four-year, $176.3 million extension in August 2021.<\/p>\n

The 34-year-old Leonard is a six-time All-NBA honoree and two-time NBA Finals MVP. Last season, he averaged 21.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 49.8\/41.1\/81.0.<\/p>\n

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