The Athletic NBA Daily Pablo Torre on the Clippers and Kawhi
Sep 3, 2025
Pablo Torre, host of 'Pablo Torre Finds Out,' and Sam Amick, an NBA reporter for The Athletic, delve into the intriguing dynamics of Kawhi Leonard's situation with the Clippers. They dissect the controversial acquisition and explore a unique endorsement deal tied to climate initiatives. The conversation touches on contract intricacies, the tension between Kawhi and owner Steve Ballmer, and the implications for team integrity. They also discuss youth mental health concerns, highlighting the impact of modern technology on rising athletes.
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Hidden $28M Endorsement Linked To Clippers
- Pablo Torre found Aspiration paid Kawhi Leonard $28M via a no-show endorsement contract tied to the Clippers sponsorship.
- Steve Ballmer personally invested $50M in Aspiration and the company had a major Clippers sponsorship deal.
Secrecy And Strange Contract Terms Raise Flags
- The deal's secrecy and lack of public deliverables makes it suspicious as an endorsement meant to be visible.
- The contract had termination language tied only to Kawhi leaving the Clippers, raising questions about purpose.
Bankruptcy Revelations Connect Payments To 'Uncle Dennis'
- Aspiration was collapsing under fraud investigations and bankruptcy while prioritizing payments tied to 'Uncle Dennis.'
- That internal prioritization connects the company's instability to the Kawhi-related payments.