The NBA has reportedly found no evidence that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to Kawhi Leonard in an attempt to circumvent the league’s salary cap, according to people familiar with the ongoing investigation.
Instead, the league is now focusing on whether the Clippers violated NBA rules by introducing Leonard to companies that had business relationships with the team.
The investigation, which has been ongoing for 11 months, initially centered on Leonard’s controversial $28 million endorsement deal with now-defunct banking company Aspiration. The inquiry has since expanded to at least three other companies, including Daktronics and Boingo Wireless.
However, sources familiar with the investigation said the NBA has not presented evidence that Ballmer directed or funneled money through any of those companies to Leonard.
Clippers Defend Sponsor Introductions
The NBA is reportedly examining whether the Clippers could be accused of “failure to supervise” employees after helping introduce Leonard and his representatives to team sponsors.
The Clippers have defended the practice, saying it is normal for NBA teams to connect players with business partners.
The team also insists it did not negotiate or dictate the terms of Leonard’s endorsement agreements.
The investigation began after a September 2025 report alleged that Ballmer had invested $50 million in Aspiration through his personal LLC in 2021. Around the same period, the Clippers signed a $300 million partnership with the company.
Aspiration subsequently signed Leonard to a reported $28 million endorsement deal in 2022, prompting questions about whether the arrangement was designed to provide Leonard with additional compensation outside his NBA contract.
Ballmer has consistently denied directing Aspiration to sign Leonard.
Daktronics Deal Also Under Investigation
The NBA also examined Leonard’s reported relationship with Daktronics, the company responsible for the massive video board at the Clippers’ Intuit Dome.
A separate report claimed Leonard had an undisclosed multimillion-dollar sponsorship agreement with the company. However, sources familiar with the NBA’s investigation said there is again no evidence that Ballmer used Daktronics to funnel money to Leonard.
Instead, the league’s concerns center on the Clippers’ role in introducing Leonard to the company.
Ballmer Could Still Fight Any Punishment
Although the investigation appears to have shifted away from allegations that Ballmer personally orchestrated payments to Leonard, the NBA and Clippers are still negotiating a potential resolution.
The league presented its initial findings to the Clippers in late July, with attorneys for both sides holding discussions in recent weeks.
Ballmer has reportedly told confidants that he would not accept a league finding claiming that he or the Clippers intentionally circumvented the salary cap. If the NBA ultimately imposes punishment, the Clippers could potentially challenge the findings through arbitration.
The NBA has also pushed back against reports about the investigation, saying that ESPN’s account contained “numerous and significant inaccuracies” and that the final results will only become clear once the investigation concludes.
For now, the key development is that the NBA has reportedly found no evidence that Ballmer funneled sponsor money to Leonard. The remaining dispute appears to center on whether simply facilitating introductions between Leonard and Clippers business partners could constitute a violation of league rules.
