Risky Business with Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova Did the LA Clippers Take a Page from the Mob?
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Sep 27, 2025 An NBA investigation into the LA Clippers reveals allegations that star Kawhi Leonard accepted a $28 million endorsement to dodge salary cap rules. Nate and Maria liken the situation to mob-related no-show jobs, questioning team owner Steve Ballmer's involvement. They explore potential punishments and how the league can deter such actions. Switching gears, a report highlights New York's declining millionaire share—discussing tax implications, migration trends, and the need for better city services over simply attracting the wealthy.
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Suspicious Sponsorship As Cap Workaround
- The Clippers allegedly used a sponsorship by Aspiration to funnel extra money to Kawhi Leonard outside the salary cap rules.
- Nate Silver views the arrangement as highly suspicious given the lack of legitimate services performed by Kawhi for the company.
Journalistic Discovery And Mob Parallel
- Pablo Torre uncovered documents and sources suggesting the bankrupt Aspiration paid famous people exorbitantly for little or no work.
- Maria Konnikova compared the setup to mob-style no-show jobs as an illustrative parallel.
League Can Use Circumstantial Evidence
- The NBA Constitution allows the league to rely on circumstantial evidence to find salary-cap circumvention.
- Nate predicts the league will investigate thoroughly and the matter will likely go to arbitration.