Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer leaves his court side seat after a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 28, 2025.

Los Angeles Clippers governor Steve Ballmer is under investigation for alleged salary cap circumvention involving star forward Kahwi Leonard.

According to reporting from Pablo Torre on his hit podcast Pablo Torre Finds Out, Ballmer made an investment of $50 million in 2021 toward a now bankrupt company called Aspiration. The company later agreed to terms on an endorsement deal with Leonard that required nearly nothing of him. Some have described it as a "no-show" job.

While the Clippers have repeatedly denied the claims, the NBA has retained the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct the investigation.

What has Steve Ballmer said about the Kawhi investigation?

Since the allegations came out, Ballmer has denied allegations about salary cap circumvention.

He flew to Connecticut to speak with ESPN's Ramona Shelburne shortly after the first report from Torre.

Ballmer shared additional thoughts about the investigation on Tuesday afternoon.

Here is more (via Sports Business Journal):

“The important thing is our relationship with the company and the player’s relationship with the company were independent, which is important under the rules of the NBA,” Ballmer told SBJ Executive Editor Abe Madkour. “I feel quite confident in that, that we abided [by] the rules. And so I welcome the investigation that the NBA is doing. It’s a great way from our perspective to get the facts out there.

Ballmer added that there is "nothing fun" about being highlighted in this way but maintains his innocence and felt he was personally defrauded.

After the investigation is complete, fans will learn what (if any) punishment the organization may receive for any violations potentially committed.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Steve Ballmer confident Kawhi Leonard investigation will clear Clippers

Reporting by Bryan Kalbrosky, For The Win / For The Win

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