NBA investigating second Kawhi Leonard sponsorship deal as part of Aspiration probe: Sources - The Athletic
The NBA's probe into Kawhi Leonard's Aspiration contract has widened to a second sponsorship deal, league sources tell The Athletic.
The Expanded Scope
Beyond the initial Aspiration contract, investigators are reportedly looking at whether the Clippers covered personal expenses for Leonard without seeking reimbursement — a potential salary cap mechanism. The second, previously unreported endorsement deal with another company adds another vector to the inquiry. League sources indicate Toronto was advised they would bear the financial risk of any resulting penalties if they acquired Leonard, which prompted the Raptors to pause trade discussions. Leonard, meanwhile, remains unsigned as front offices await clarity on the investigation's conclusion.
The Timeline and Structural Questions
The investigation's origin traces back to September 2021, when Clippers owner Steve Ballmer made a personal $50 million investment in Aspiration. Weeks later, Leonard signed a four-year, $176 million extension, and Aspiration became a reported $300 million sponsor of the franchise. Former employees have characterized Leonard's $28 million deal as a "no-show" arrangement with no evidence of public promotion. Aspiration's co-founder, Joe Sanberg, has since been convicted and sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for fraud.
Where the Pressure Points Sit
The Clippers maintain they were victims of the broader Aspiration collapse, issuing statements citing full cooperation and tens of thousands of documents provided. Former Aspiration employees, speaking anonymously, suggest only Sanberg knows whether the original deal was structured to circumvent the cap. League executives around the NBA increasingly expect Commissioner Silver to take action against the franchise, though the NBPA has pushed back on the investigation's duration. The Board of Governors news conference this week could provide the first substantive update since Silver indicated hopes for a swift resolution last month. Until then, Leonard remains in roster limbo — a franchise cornerstone whose availability timeline is now dictated not by load management, but by an investigation whose full scope appears to still be coming into focus.
