Report Alleges Kawhi Leonard Received $28M Endorsement Deal From Company With Ties To Clippers

[RealGM Wiretap]

Kawhi Leonard signed a four-year, $28 million deal endorsement deal with a tree-planting company called Aspiration that contractually required no services from the All-Star and also required him to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to reporting from Pablo Torre.

Steve Ballmer allegedly funded $50 million from his personal LLC in addition to a $315 million investment from Oak Tree Capital, which Ballmer is also affiliated with.

"It was to circumvent the salary cap," an inside source told Torre.

The endorsement contract surfaced because Aspiration filed for bankruptcy and its co-founder, Joseph Sanberg, agreed to plead guilty to a $248 million scheme to defraud investors and leaders. 

The Clippers issued the following statement to Torre when reached for comment.

"Neither Mr. Balmer 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. Balmer was aware of any improper activity by Aspiration or its co-founder until after the government instituted its investigation. The team and Mr. Balmer stand ready to assist law enforcement in any way they can."

When Leonard signed with the Clippers in 2019, the NBA investigated allegations that his uncle, Dennis Robertson, asked for impermissible benefits to entice him in free agency. The NBA's investigation found no evidence.

Leonard initially signed with the Clippers on a three-year, $104 million contract before extending in 2021 on a four-year, $176 million contract. Leonard's LLC to receive funds from the Aspiration endorsement deal was formed in November 2021 before the endorsement contract was signed in the first half of 2022. Leonard signed a three-year, $149 million contract extension with the Clippers in 2024.

Via Pablo Torre/The Athletic

[danfantastk32]

No offense here....but it's the clippers, so who cares?

[hoophabit]

It's LA, so the league will be fine with it.

[Pickled Prunes]

Just rich people doing rich people things. I am almost willing to give Balmer a pass. He was a new owner and seems naive enough to not understand the CBA or know this was a violation. But I think less of Kawhi with every story I read. He just seems like a leach. Getting the most he can with the least possible effort.

Either way, imagine demanding more than the 35% max to play 60% of the games in a season!... And imagine being rich enough to agree! Wealth clouds the mind!

No fine will be big enough for this. It needs to cost the team multiple 1sts. They currently have five 1sts in the next seven years, two are controlled by other teams via swap. The NBA should take all five while still allowing for the already negotiated draft position to be swapped.

[objectivefan]

Just rich people doing rich people things. I am almost willing to give Balmer a pass. He was a new owner and seems naive enough to not understand the CBA or know this was a violation. But I think less of Kawhi with every story I read. He just seems like a leach. Getting the most he can with the least possible effort.

Either way, imagine demanding more than the 35% max to play 60% of the games in a season!... And imagine being rich enough to agree! Wealth clouds the mind!

No fine will be big enough for this. It needs to cost the team multiple 1sts. They currently have five 1sts in the next seven years, two are controlled by other teams via swap. The NBA should take all five while still allowing for the already negotiated draft position to be swapped.

The boss offers him a percentage of his salary "off the book" and you blame the employee for accepting but gives the boss a pass? Keep in mind that the offers more flexibility to the team, they are circumventing the NBA rules.

The GM had to be part of the conversation, the GM is fully aware of the salary cap and legalities around it. But somehow you think less of Kawhi?

[Pickled Prunes]

Just rich people doing rich people things. I am almost willing to give Balmer a pass. He was a new owner and seems naive enough to not understand the CBA or know this was a violation. But I think less of Kawhi with every story I read. He just seems like a leach. Getting the most he can with the least possible effort.

Either way, imagine demanding more than the 35% max to play 60% of the games in a season!... And imagine being rich enough to agree! Wealth clouds the mind!

No fine will be big enough for this. It needs to cost the team multiple 1sts. They currently have five 1sts in the next seven years, two are controlled by other teams via swap. The NBA should take all five while still allowing for the already negotiated draft position to be swapped.

The boss offers him a percentage of his salary "off the book" and you blame the employee for accepting but gives the boss a pass? Keep in mind that the offers more flexibility to the team, they are circumventing the NBA rules.

The GM had to be part of the conversation, the GM is fully aware of the salary cap and legalities around it. But somehow you think less of Kawhi?

I said "almost willing to give him a pass", and mostly because he just comes off as an ignorant rich dude. (A common affliction!) I do feel like Kawhi is a leach, but taking draft picks punishes the team, not the player.

The GM doesn't necessarily need to have been part of the conversation where Balmer promises to get Kawhi some endorsements.

[BigHustle]

Just rich people doing rich people things. I am almost willing to give Balmer a pass. He was a new owner and seems naive enough to not understand the CBA or know this was a violation. But I think less of Kawhi with every story I read. He just seems like a leach. Getting the most he can with the least possible effort.

Either way, imagine demanding more than the 35% max to play 60% of the games in a season!... And imagine being rich enough to agree! Wealth clouds the mind!

No fine will be big enough for this. It needs to cost the team multiple 1sts. They currently have five 1sts in the next seven years, two are controlled by other teams via swap. The NBA should take all five while still allowing for the already negotiated draft position to be swapped.

The boss offers him a percentage of his salary "off the book" and you blame the employee for accepting but gives the boss a pass? Keep in mind that the offers more flexibility to the team, they are circumventing the NBA rules.

The GM had to be part of the conversation, the GM is fully aware of the salary cap and legalities around it. But somehow you think less of Kawhi?

Yes. LAC most to blame but KL2 and Uncle know what they’re doing.

[[EverGreen]]

Just rich people doing rich people things. I am almost willing to give Balmer a pass. He was a new owner and seems naive enough to not understand the CBA or know this was a violation. But I think less of Kawhi with every story I read. He just seems like a leach. Getting the most he can with the least possible effort.

Either way, imagine demanding more than the 35% max to play 60% of the games in a season!... And imagine being rich enough to agree! Wealth clouds the mind!

No fine will be big enough for this. It needs to cost the team multiple 1sts. They currently have five 1sts in the next seven years, two are controlled by other teams via swap. The NBA should take all five while still allowing for the already negotiated draft position to be swapped.

The boss offers him a percentage of his salary "off the book" and you blame the employee for accepting but gives the boss a pass? Keep in mind that the offers more flexibility to the team, they are circumventing the NBA rules.

The GM had to be part of the conversation, the GM is fully aware of the salary cap and legalities around it. But somehow you think less of Kawhi?

The boss offered him a percentage "off the book" or he demanded?

He had the Clippers over a barrel with a new owner and stadium. He demanded they trade for PG and his Uncle was running around making demands for side deals and you think Balmer offered?

I dislike Billionaires more than most, but this is a stretch.

[Pickled Prunes]

Just rich people doing rich people things. I am almost willing to give Balmer a pass. He was a new owner and seems naive enough to not understand the CBA or know this was a violation. But I think less of Kawhi with every story I read. He just seems like a leach. Getting the most he can with the least possible effort.

Either way, imagine demanding more than the 35% max to play 60% of the games in a season!... And imagine being rich enough to agree! Wealth clouds the mind!

No fine will be big enough for this. It needs to cost the team multiple 1sts. They currently have five 1sts in the next seven years, two are controlled by other teams via swap. The NBA should take all five while still allowing for the already negotiated draft position to be swapped.

The boss offers him a percentage of his salary "off the book" and you blame the employee for accepting but gives the boss a pass? Keep in mind that the offers more flexibility to the team, they are circumventing the NBA rules.

The GM had to be part of the conversation, the GM is fully aware of the salary cap and legalities around it. But somehow you think less of Kawhi?

The boss offered him a percentage "off the book" or he demanded?

He had the Clippers over a barrel with a new owner and stadium. He demanded they trade for PG and his Uncle was running around making demands for side deals and you think Balmer offered?

I dislike Billionaires more than most, but this is a stretch.

This is pretty much how I see it. The team needs to take whatever punishment the NBA dishes out, but I feel like Kawhi has been leveraging teams since he was in SAS.

[The Hypnotoad]

They should negate Kawais current contract and suspend him for 2 years. They should take the next 2-3 first round picks from clippers. They should find Ballmer 30 million. And they should retroactively give the Lakers 2 more championships cause Kawai would have gone there if not for them cheating.

[CaHgO]

They should negate Kawais current contract and suspend him for 2 years. They should take the next 2-3 first round picks from clippers. They should find Ballmer 30 million. And they should retroactively give the Lakers 2 more championships cause Kawai would have gone there if not for them cheating.

I agree with everything until the last part. Even if he went to the Lakers, with him and AD playing not even half the games, it would have been a debacle. The Clippers perfectly deserve the leeches Kawhi and PG, and they absolutely got what they wished for Karma is a b*tch, Ballmer...

[NoStatsGuy]

Just rich people doing rich people things. I am almost willing to give Balmer a pass. He was a new owner and seems naive enough to not understand the CBA or know this was a violation. But I think less of Kawhi with every story I read. He just seems like a leach. Getting the most he can with the least possible effort.

Either way, imagine demanding more than the 35% max to play 60% of the games in a season!... And imagine being rich enough to agree! Wealth clouds the mind!

No fine will be big enough for this. It needs to cost the team multiple 1sts. They currently have five 1sts in the next seven years, two are controlled by other teams via swap. The NBA should take all five while still allowing for the already negotiated draft position to be swapped.

him and beal is dream duo

they both can count their checks while not giving a flying fladoodle about basketball and enjoying the LA weather. these dudes know how to live life.

[boston_fan_ct]

i am almost willing to give Balmer a pass. He was a new owner and seems naive enough to not understand the CBA or know this was a violation.

Look up the word naive please. He knew exactly what he was doing and didn't get rich trying to do the right thing. Problem here is the NBA probably has no way to prove this as he has to have covered his tracks. If they prove it has to involve losing no 1 picks.

[cfour6]

But if they have 3 cars in the parking lot for you, is it a different situation? lol All teams do this in some type of fashion.

[chuckerz]

Problem with this is that this gives an unfair advantage to rich owners. Ballmer has over 150 billion dollars to spend. To level the playing field so smaller market teams and owners unwilling to go into the luxury tax, these under the table deals are prohibited.

If the Twolves got their draft picks taken away for their under the table moves with Joe Smith, im sure a similar consequence will be given to the Clippers.

[Pickled Prunes]

Just rich people doing rich people things. I am almost willing to give Balmer a pass. He was a new owner and seems naive enough to not understand the CBA or know this was a violation. But I think less of Kawhi with every story I read. He just seems like a leach. Getting the most he can with the least possible effort.

Either way, imagine demanding more than the 35% max to play 60% of the games in a season!... And imagine being rich enough to agree! Wealth clouds the mind!

No fine will be big enough for this. It needs to cost the team multiple 1sts. They currently have five 1sts in the next seven years, two are controlled by other teams via swap. The NBA should take all five while still allowing for the already negotiated draft position to be swapped.

him and beal is dream duo

they both can count their checks while not giving a flying fladoodle about basketball and enjoying the LA weather. these dudes know how to live life.

I see those two players in completely different lights:

Kawhi seems like a grifter. The things his uncle has asked for on his behalf have seemed outlandish and the idea that he only plays when his level of discomfort is at zero, without team doctors being involved in the discussion, has always felt shady to me.

Beal, on the other hand, played in a weak conference, on a bad team, and was elevated to #1 because of Wall's injuries. He chucked himself into a scoring title because the team had no one else to produce and they payed him like a star. Even in his prime Beal would have been a better #2-3 than a #1, but we can't blame Beal for signing the ridiculous offer WAS put in front of him. We also can't blame Beal for what happened in PHX. He was brought in to shoot and he did so with career best efficiency. If he didn't want to play ball, he'd be at home. He doesn't need the $11m he's getting from LAC.

[NoStatsGuy]

Just rich people doing rich people things. I am almost willing to give Balmer a pass. He was a new owner and seems naive enough to not understand the CBA or know this was a violation. But I think less of Kawhi with every story I read. He just seems like a leach. Getting the most he can with the least possible effort.

Either way, imagine demanding more than the 35% max to play 60% of the games in a season!... And imagine being rich enough to agree! Wealth clouds the mind!

No fine will be big enough for this. It needs to cost the team multiple 1sts. They currently have five 1sts in the next seven years, two are controlled by other teams via swap. The NBA should take all five while still allowing for the already negotiated draft position to be swapped.

him and beal is dream duo

they both can count their checks while not giving a flying fladoodle about basketball and enjoying the LA weather. these dudes know how to live life.

I see those two players in completely different lights:

Kawhi seems like a grifter. The things his uncle has asked for on his behalf have seemed outlandish and the idea that he only plays when his level of discomfort is at zero, without team doctors being involved in the discussion, has always felt shady to me.

Beal, on the other hand, played in a weak conference, on a bad team, and was elevated to #1 because of Wall's injuries. He chucked himself into a scoring title because the team had no one else to produce and they payed him like a star. Even in his prime Beal would have been a better #2-3 than a #1, but we can't blame Beal for signing the ridiculous offer WAS put in front of him. We also can't blame Beal for what happened in PHX. He was brought in to shoot and he did so with career best efficiency. If he didn't want to play ball, he'd be at home. He doesn't need the $11m he's getting from LAC.

no one has leveraged teams like beal has in the last couple years. Of course everybody that doesnt sign that contract would be an absolut idiot. but the way he handled his NTC, shows that he doesnt care all that much about basketball anymore. at least in my opinion.

[Pickled Prunes]

him and beal is dream duo

they both can count their checks while not giving a flying fladoodle about basketball and enjoying the LA weather. these dudes know how to live life.

I see those two players in completely different lights:

Kawhi seems like a grifter. The things his uncle has asked for on his behalf have seemed outlandish and the idea that he only plays when his level of discomfort is at zero, without team doctors being involved in the discussion, has always felt shady to me.

Beal, on the other hand, played in a weak conference, on a bad team, and was elevated to #1 because of Wall's injuries. He chucked himself into a scoring title because the team had no one else to produce and they payed him like a star. Even in his prime Beal would have been a better #2-3 than a #1, but we can't blame Beal for signing the ridiculous offer WAS put in front of him. We also can't blame Beal for what happened in PHX. He was brought in to shoot and he did so with career best efficiency. If he didn't want to play ball, he'd be at home. He doesn't need the $11m he's getting from LAC.

no one has leveraged teams like beal has in the last couple years. Of course everybody that doesnt sign that contract would be an absolut idiot. but the way he handled his NTC, shows that he doesnt care all that much about basketball anymore. at least in my opinion.

Not at all. He had a NTC and it was within his right to use it. He was on a team with (likely) two future HOF players and the only teams willing to trade for him were losing situations hoping to get draft compensation to take him on. He was under no obligation to help PHX by allowing a trade to a negative situation, on the court or off.

I would have signed that deal and I would not have wived my NTC to get sent to BRK or back to WAS. MIL was rumored but they really had nothing to offer. Beal did have leverage, but he made the same decision most of us would have made. It was the right basketball decision and the right one for his family.

[NoStatsGuy]

I see those two players in completely different lights:

Kawhi seems like a grifter. The things his uncle has asked for on his behalf have seemed outlandish and the idea that he only plays when his level of discomfort is at zero, without team doctors being involved in the discussion, has always felt shady to me.

Beal, on the other hand, played in a weak conference, on a bad team, and was elevated to #1 because of Wall's injuries. He chucked himself into a scoring title because the team had no one else to produce and they payed him like a star. Even in his prime Beal would have been a better #2-3 than a #1, but we can't blame Beal for signing the ridiculous offer WAS put in front of him. We also can't blame Beal for what happened in PHX. He was brought in to shoot and he did so with career best efficiency. If he didn't want to play ball, he'd be at home. He doesn't need the $11m he's getting from LAC.

no one has leveraged teams like beal has in the last couple years. Of course everybody that doesnt sign that contract would be an absolut idiot. but the way he handled his NTC, shows that he doesnt care all that much about basketball anymore. at least in my opinion.

Not at all. He had a NTC and it was within his right to use it. He was on a team with (likely) two future HOF players and the only teams willing to trade for him were losing situations hoping to get draft compensation to take him on. He was under no obligation to help PHX by allowing a trade to a negative situation, on the court or off.

I would have signed that deal and I would not have wived my NTC to get sent to BRK or back to WAS. MIL was rumored but they really had nothing to offer. Beal did have leverage, but he made the same decision most of us would have made. It was the right basketball decision and the right one for his family.

just as kawhi, he was under no obligation to do anything for his teams. but for some reason you hold him accountable for that

it was well withing kawhis rights to do what he did. Double standards at its best

[Pickled Prunes]

no one has leveraged teams like beal has in the last couple years. Of course everybody that doesnt sign that contract would be an absolut idiot. but the way he handled his NTC, shows that he doesnt care all that much about basketball anymore. at least in my opinion.

Not at all. He had a NTC and it was within his right to use it. He was on a team with (likely) two future HOF players and the only teams willing to trade for him were losing situations hoping to get draft compensation to take him on. He was under no obligation to help PHX by allowing a trade to a negative situation, on the court or off.

I would have signed that deal and I would not have wived my NTC to get sent to BRK or back to WAS. MIL was rumored but they really had nothing to offer. Beal did have leverage, but he made the same decision most of us would have made. It was the right basketball decision and the right one for his family.

just as kawhi, he was under no obligation to do anything for his teams. but for some reason you hold him accountable for that

it was well withing kawhis rights to do what he did. Double standards at its best

To sit when team doctors could find nothing wrong with him? To decide, game to game, whether he's going to play, without consulting team, coach or training staff? You know which player I'm talking about without mentioning their name because the situations and careers of these two players are completely different. What Kawhi did was similar to a Simmons, Harden or Jimmy power play. All of those guys were playing outside the lines contractually.

All Beal did was exercise his NTC, which was playing firmly inside the lines of his contract. The two situations are not even similar.