The Athletic NBA Daily Pablo Torre on the Clippers and the other Dennis
Sep 11, 2025
Pablo Torre, host of the Pablo Torre Finds Out Podcast, delves into the Clippers saga, examining the potential fallout surrounding Kawhi Leonard's endorsement deal with Aspiration and its leadership issues. He discusses the implications of recent misconduct allegations against the franchise. Sam Amick joins to shed light on the Board of Governors meeting, raising critical questions about accountability in the league. The dialogue emphasizes the balance of competitive integrity and the evolving scrutiny of team conduct as the NBA gears up for the new season.
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Sponsor Was Financially Collapsed Before Payment
- Aspiration missed multiple scheduled payments to Kawhi Leonard and ultimately couldn't pay him on time due to severe financial distress.
- The company was in default, shedding senior staff and under auditor and regulatory scrutiny when a $1.99M investment arrived nine days before a payment.
The 'Second Dennis' Links Aspiration To Ballmer
- A $1.99M stock purchase into Aspiration came nine days before Kawhi's payment and was signed by a registered agent named Dennis Wong.
- That Dennis Wong is Steve Ballmer's Harvard roommate and the Clippers' vice chairman and limited partner raises immediate conflict and circumstantial concerns.
Wong Is Ballmer's Sole Local Partner
- Dennis Wong is the Clippers' alternate governor and the only limited partner Steve Ballmer publicly reported.
- Wong attended the Board of Governors meeting with Ballmer, deepening governance and transparency questions.