Investors Sue Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer, Claim Secret Payments to Kawhi Leonard
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Eleven investors in the financial firm Aspiration have filed a lawsuit accusing Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer of quietly directing millions of dollars to Kawhi Leonard to secure the star forward’s 2021 contract extension, according to reporting by journalist Pablo Torre.
The complaint contends that Ballmer, unable to offer Leonard the same salary another NBA team could under league rules, used Aspiration—now known as Catona—to create an off-books incentive package. “These funds would be channeled through [Aspiration] to Leonard so that Ballmer could induce Leonard to re-sign with the Clippers by covertly paying him more than allowed by the NBA’s salary cap rules,” the filing states.
Plaintiffs also allege that Ballmer enlisted Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg by providing additional personal funding to keep him “loyal” to the scheme.
Investor Skip Miller, one of the plaintiffs, told Torre, “A lot of people have been hurt here. This lawsuit is being brought to recoup their losses. We look forward to our day in court where everything will be aired out and justice will be done.”
The NBA and the Clippers have declined to comment on the allegations. Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, signed a new deal with the Clippers in 2021.
Source: Hoops Wire
