Fresh information is intensifying questions around Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard’s $28 million endorsement agreement with financial firm Aspiration, even as the team continues to characterize the partnership as routine.
Boston Sports Journal’s John Karalis reported that Leonard also secured a separate arrangement for $20 million in Aspiration stock, on top of the original cash deal. According to the story, company co-founder Andrei Cherny approved the agreement without consulting Aspiration’s board of directors, overriding executives who believed the expenditure offered little marketing value and conflicted with the firm’s tree-planting mission.
Complicating matters, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested $50 million in Aspiration, allegedly conducting minimal due diligence and paying a higher price per share than Oak Tree Capital Management. High-profile investors typically receive discounted shares for the promotional benefit they bring, making Ballmer’s premium purchase unusual.
Rival team officials remain skeptical of the Clippers’ explanation. One general manager told The Athletic, “This sort of endorsement deal does not happen.” Another executive informed Sports Illustrated that NBA commissioner Adam Silver “has to make an example” if the facts are confirmed.
The league has already opened an investigation. It is still unclear whether the matter will amount to reputational damage only or lead to penalties similar to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ historic sanctions over the Joe Smith case two decades ago.
Source: Hoops Wire
