Rival Execs Contend Kawhi Leonard's Aspiration Endorsement Deal 'Does Not Happen'

[RealGM Wiretap]

Multiple rival executives that spoke with The Athletic and indicated that endorsement deals like the one Kawhi Leonard had with Los Angeles Clippers' team sponsor Aspiration are not common around the NBA.

“This (sort of endorsement deal) does not happen,” one long-tenured general manager said of the nature of this arrangement.

“I’ve never seen it,” said another executive.

When Leonard was a free agent, his uncle, Dennis Robertson, allegedly made requests for illegal perks. Rival owners shared their concerns with the NBA, who opened an investigation and found no circumventions of the cap. 

Unlike the unnamed executives interviewed by The Athletic, Mark Cuban defended Ballmer against the allegations on X shortly after the Pablo Torre report was made public. 

Via Sam Amick/The Athletic

[the_process]

Teams are in full CYA mode.

[TheCage4]

What doesn't happen?

Allen Iverson signed a lifetime deal with Reebok in 2001. Guy still gets paid and he hasn't been in the league, or really relevant, since before some posters here on RealGM were even born. He is also set to get $32 million from Reebok when he turns 55.

[Vegeta10176]

What doesn't happen?

Allen Iverson signed a lifetime deal with Reebok in 2001. Guy still gets paid and he hasn't been in the league, or really relevant, since before some posters here on RealGM were even born. He is also set to get $32 million from Reebok when he turns 55.

Do you think the contract says he has to do nothing.. Just because Rebook aren't using him anymore does it say he does nothing for his money? It wouldn't..

[HotelVitale]

What doesn't happen? Allen Iverson signed a lifetime deal with Reebok in 2001. Guy still gets paid and he hasn't been in the league, or really relevant, since before some posters here on RealGM were even born. He is also set to get $32 million from Reebok when he turns 55.

Do you think the contract says he has to do nothing.. Just because Rebook aren't using him anymore does it say he does nothing for his money? It wouldn't..

Yeah, confusing comment. Reebok is a legit shoe company that had hyper legit reasons to pay someone like Iverson huge to be their face.

Reebok also isn't owned by some team that stole away Iverson in FA in part because of his inflated deal. Has nothing to do with the Kawhi situation.

[Merit]

Additionally, Iverson's name is still on those reebok's. They're arguably the best recieved reebok shoes ever - aside from the shaqnosis and shawn kemp's kamikaze's.

[xinxin]

What doesn't happen? Allen Iverson signed a lifetime deal with Reebok in 2001. Guy still gets paid and he hasn't been in the league, or really relevant, since before some posters here on RealGM were even born. He is also set to get $32 million from Reebok when he turns 55.

Do you think the contract says he has to do nothing.. Just because Rebook aren't using him anymore does it say he does nothing for his money? It wouldn't..

Yeah, confusing comment. Reebok is a legit shoe company that had hyper legit reasons to pay someone like Iverson huge to be their face.

Reebok also isn't owned by some team that stole away Iverson in FA in part because of his inflated deal. Has nothing to do with the Kawhi situation.

As I said in another thread, Kawhi could have simply planted a tree and this thing would have gone away… but he didn’t and wouldnt

That’s plain arrogance, if you ask me.


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[TheCage4]

What doesn't happen? Allen Iverson signed a lifetime deal with Reebok in 2001. Guy still gets paid and he hasn't been in the league, or really relevant, since before some posters here on RealGM were even born. He is also set to get $32 million from Reebok when he turns 55.

Do you think the contract says he has to do nothing.. Just because Rebook aren't using him anymore does it say he does nothing for his money? It wouldn't..

Yeah, confusing comment. Reebok is a legit shoe company that had hyper legit reasons to pay someone like Iverson huge to be their face.

Reebok also isn't owned by some team that stole away Iverson in FA in part because of his inflated deal. Has nothing to do with the Kawhi situation.

Stole Kawhi, lol. He wanted to play with Paul George. It's well documented.

Let's remember FTX was also considered a legit company at one point. Yes, Reebok is Reebok, but my point is that endorsement deals are what they are. I don't know of any set guidelines in terms of what can be offered or asked of those being endorsed.

I'm not saying wrong doing wasn't done. I have no allegiance to Kawhi or the Clippers. If anything, I hope they find something here.