Kawhi Leonard’s time with the Clippers has been shadowed by scandal, with allegations of a fraudulent $28 million endorsement deal involving owner Steve Ballmer.
Investigative journalist Pablo Torre recently unveiled a 3,000-page dossier probing Leonard’s contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. The investigation focused on an endorsement deal between Leonard’s company and one owned by Clippers’ owner Steve Ballmer.
Leonard apparently failed to fulfill his commitment to endorse Aspiration, a company labeled as a “fraudulent tree-planting company” that collapsed in March 2025. Torre’s in-depth investigation delved into legal documents and interviews with former Aspiration employees, shedding light on Leonard’s alleged participation in the dubious agreement.
It appears that Leonard’s arrival in Los Angeles under the Clippers’ banner was not devoid of controversy. An NBA inquiry was conducted following his three-year deal with the team in 2019. Additionally, a former Clippers employee filed a lawsuit accusing the organization of tampering to acquire Leonard’s services.
The detailed probe by Torre raises questions about the legitimacy of Leonard’s dealings with the Clippers and the extent of his involvement in the purported endorsement scandal with Ballmer’s company. The unraveling of this alleged scheme adds another layer of complexity to Leonard’s tenure with the franchise.