Pablo Torre Finds Out Steve Ballmer, the Other Cuban and the $118 Million Infusion: Kawhi-Gate, Part IV
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Sep 18, 2025 Dan Le Batard, a prominent sports media personality known for his sharp insights and humor, joins to delve into the swirling controversy surrounding Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers. They dissect the murky funding of Aspiration's payments and examine NBA oversight, especially regarding Team Ballmer's hefty investments. With a mix of analysis and commentary, Le Batard sheds light on the complex dynamics between Mark Cuban and the Clippers, sparking a lively debate about transparency in sports finance.
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Two Plausible Narratives Collide
- Pablo frames two simultaneous possibilities: Ballmer was defrauded and Aspiration engineered a cap-circumvention scheme.
- The reporting presents layered circumstantial evidence tying payments and timing to potential salary-cap evasion.
Follow The Money And Timing Closely
- Follow the money and the timing of payments to test circumstantial theories about cap circumvention.
- Use primary documents and source corroboration to distinguish fraud from coincidence.
Internal Execs Say Deal Was Forced Through
- Three former Aspiration executives signed a joint statement saying the Kawhi deal was presented as a done deal despite senior objections.
- They said the agreement didn't follow the company's strategy or investment-committee process and was not in the company's best interest.