Steve Ballmer
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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 24: Owner Steve Ballmer of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome on April 24, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer denied allegations that the team skirted NBA salary-cap rules, telling ESPN on Sept. 4 that he welcomed the league’s investigation. His remarks came in direct response to claims made on the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast.
In an interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Ballmer said he had no knowledge of Kawhi Leonard’s reported endorsement deal with Aspiration, the now-bankrupt environmental company that signed a major sponsorship agreement with the Clippers in 2021.
Ballmer emphasized that Leonard’s 2021 contract was unrelated to the partnership and insisted the team has “abided by the salary-cap circumvention rules because that’s the right thing to do.”
Steve Ballmer Responds to the Allegations
“Pablo’s podcast, I don’t know anything about the court documents on this,” Ballmer said. “I haven’t seen them, and I don’t know. I don’t know why they did what they did, and I don’t know how different it is. I really don’t. And frankly, any speculation would be crazy.
“These are guys who committed fraud. How would I be able — look, they conned me. They conned me. I made an investment in these guys, thinking it was on the up and up, and they con me. At this stage, I have no ability to predict why they might have done anything they did, let alone the specific contract with Kawhi.”
Ballmer admitted it was a mistake to invest in Aspiration, a decision that came four years after he was seated next to company co-founder Joe Sanberg at a Clippers media day. Sanberg pleaded guilty last month to defrauding investors of $248 million.
“I reviewed — my staff reviewed primarily — fraudulent financials,” Ballmer said. “Now, should I have sniffed it out? Maybe. I feel embarrassed and kind of silly that I didn’t sniff it out. But I didn’t. I made the investment. A lot of other smart investors didn’t sniff it out, either.
“It’s also true that I’ve made a bunch of bad business deals and investments in my life, and I’ve made some good ones. This was fraud and a bad investment. And I’m embarrassed by that.”
Kawhi Leonard Steve Ballmer
GettyLOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 24: Kawhi Leonard (C) and Paul George laugh as they listen to Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer speak during their introductory news conference at Green Meadows Recreation Center on July 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Kawhi Leonard has Faced Scrutiny with Deals Before
This isn’t the first time the Clippers have faced scrutiny over potential benefits tied to Leonard. Back in 2019, the NBA investigated allegations that his uncle and advisor, Dennis Robertson, sought improper perks during Leonard’s free agency. The team was ultimately cleared, and Ballmer noted that both Leonard and his uncle “know the rules.”
“If anything is not clear, we remind ourselves what the rules are, and we make absolutely clear we’re going to abide by those rules, and they understand them as well,” Ballmer said, referring to Leonard and Robertson. “And it’s important for them to abide by them, which they have.”
Ballmer also said he has not discussed the allegations from Torre’s podcast with Leonard and does not plan to.
“It’s really his business with Aspiration,” Ballmer said. “So I wouldn’t ask about it, no.”
NBA Announced New Investigation into Clippers After Torre’s Reporting
Ballmer stated that if any other team faced similar allegations, he would expect the league to take them seriously and conduct an investigation. Following Torre’s podcast episode, the NBA announced it will open a new investigation into the Clippers. Ballmer said the team “welcomes the league investigation” and “has nothing to hide,” while expressing regret for the impact on fans and Clippers staff.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to talk about what we’ve done and express, I guess, some of the anger I’m feeling about what’s going on,” Ballmer said. “And I also feel some sadness for our employees. I’m mad, but I’m also sad that they’re going through this, as well as our staff and our fans.”