The Athletic NBA Daily Does the NBA have enough to punish the Clippers?
Sep 16, 2025
Mike Vorkunov, who covers sports and business for The Athletic, dives into the ongoing drama surrounding the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard. He discusses the controversial sponsorship relationship with Aspiration, raising ethical concerns. The challenges of the NBA's investigation into the Clippers come to light, especially in gathering testimonies. Vorkunov also highlights the broader implications of salary cap regulations and how rising costs for fans impact their viewing experiences in an evolving NBA landscape.
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Strange Timing Between Deals
- Aspiration signed Kawhi Leonard for $20M while also securing a $300M-plus Clippers sponsorship earlier that year.
- The deal paid Kawhi despite minimal obligations and raised immediate red flags about intent and timing.
Ballmer's Investment Raises Questions
- Steve Ballmer invested $50M in Aspiration in 2021 and another $10M in 2023 during a cash-strapped round.
- Those investments, plus other transfers, deepen questions about ties between Ballmer, Aspiration, and Kawhi.
Payment After Dennis Wong's Investment
- Aspiration sent $1.75M to Kawhi shortly after Dennis Wong invested $2M into the company.
- The company was burning cash and later filed for bankruptcy, complicating the narrative.