September 13, 2025 — Former Aspiration chief executive Andrei Cherny says Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard fulfilled contract obligations in a $28 million endorsement agreement now under scrutiny by the NBA.
In a post on X relaying comments to The Athletic, Cherny insisted the 2021 deal was not a “no-show” arrangement. “The contract contained three pages of extensive obligations that Leonard had to perform,” he wrote, adding that Aspiration could terminate the pact if those requirements were not met.
Cherny also defended a so-called “beliefs” clause, describing it as standard in celebrity agreements and unrelated to media availability. “It doesn’t mean you can have a belief of not talking to the camera,” he said.
League review under way
The endorsement surfaced on September 3 when journalist Pablo Torre reported that Leonard was paid despite doing no work for the now-bankrupt green bank. The story prompted allegations that the Clippers used a sponsor to bypass salary-cap rules.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed this week that the league has retained an outside law firm to examine the arrangement. Silver said any discipline hinges on the league proving misconduct.
Cherny details timing and departure
The former CEO noted that internal discussions before signing the sponsorship never touched on cap issues. He executed the contract shortly before resigning in 2022 and cited later emails outlining marketing plans for the 2022-23 season. “I can’t speak to what was done or not done after I left — or why,” he said.
Cherny blamed Aspiration’s collapse on co-founder Joe Sandberg, who was arrested in March on charges of defrauding investors of $145 million. Cherny said Sandberg’s actions prompted his departure three years ago.
Executives challenge the deal
After Cherny’s statement, Torre received a letter from three former Aspiration executives who said the Leonard contract was presented as a finished deal and signed over senior management objections. They argued the endorsement was costly, misaligned with the company’s strategy, and ultimately abandoned despite brief marketing efforts.
The NBA investigation remains active, and no timetable for findings has been announced.
Source: HoopsRumors
