According to ESPN, investigators have not found evidence establishing that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer or the organization used Leonard's endorsement agreement with Aspiration to secretly provide the star forward with additional compensation outside his NBA contract.
The investigation began in September 2025 after allegations surfaced surrounding Leonard's four-year, $28 million endorsement agreement with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt company that had significant financial connections to Ballmer and the Clippers.
The circumstances led to allegations that Leonard's endorsement agreement could have been used to funnel additional money to him without counting against the salary cap.
The Clippers consistently denied those allegations, maintaining that neither Ballmer nor the organization had control over Leonard's independent agreement with Aspiration.
The league hired law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct the investigation, which included interviews with Leonard, his adviser Dennis Robertson, Ballmer, Clippers officials and former Aspiration executives.
Adam Silver
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
Adam Silver
Lack of evidence represents major development for Clippers
The absence of evidence supporting salary-cap circumvention is particularly significant considering the potential consequences the Clippers could have faced.
Under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, proven circumvention can result in major fines, loss of draft picks, suspensions and, in extreme circumstances, the voiding of a player's contract.
The investigation had also become a major factor in Leonard's future. Toronto's agreed trade to reacquire the two-time Finals MVP was placed on hold because the Raptors would assume the risk of any potential punishment affecting Leonard.
The latest finding therefore represents an important development for both Leonard and the Clippers after nearly a year of uncertainty surrounding the case.
It also aligns with the Clippers' position throughout the investigation. Ballmer repeatedly denied directing Aspiration to compensate Leonard, while Leonard maintained that neither he nor the organization had committed wrongdoing.
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