The Los Angeles Clippers and their owner, Steve Ballmer, have denied allegations that star forward Kawhi Leonard was paid $28m (£22.5m) for a role that did not exist, claims that suggest an attempt to circumvent the NBA's salary cap.
Journalist Pablo Torre made the allegations on his podcast, citing legal documents. Torre claims Ballmer employed Leonard in a non-existent position at one of his companies, Aspiration, a now-defunct tree-planting firm. The arrangement reportedly involved a $28m deal between Aspiration and KL2 Aspire, LLC, a company owned by Leonard.
Torre said he found no evidence Leonard performed any work for Aspiration, with contract clauses allowing payment even without work and voiding the deal if Leonard left the Clippers. A former Aspiration employee told Torre the deal was designed to 'circumvent the salary cap.'
The Clippers and Ballmer released a statement denying the allegations: 'Neither Mr Ballmer nor the Clippers circumvented the salary cap or engaged in any misconduct related to Aspiration. Any contrary assertion is provably false.'
The NBA previously investigated Leonard's advisor, Dennis Robertson, in 2019, finding no improper benefits. The league has not commented on the new claims but has stated it would reopen the investigation if new evidence emerges. If found in breach, the Clippers could face a fine of up to $4.5m and loss of a first-round draft pick.
