The NBA has launched an investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers amid allegations that a $28 million endorsement deal tied to star player Kawhi Leonard was used to skirt salary cap rules. It stems from a March 2025 bankruptcy filing of Aspiration, a now-bankrupt sustainability company that received $50 million in funding from Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.

According to a bombshell report from investigative journalist Pablo Torre, Leonard signed with Aspiration, but did little to no promotional work in return. League officials are probing whether the agreement amounted to a "no-show" deal designed to funnel money outside of his official contract.

The league hired the New York-based law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct the investigation.

Aspiration has since dealt wi

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