Kawhi Leonard linked to undisclosed multimillion‑dollar Daktronics sponsorship amid NBA salary‑cap probe

The NBA is investigating the Los Angeles Clippers and star forward Kawhi Leonard for possible salary‑cap violations. Earlier scrutiny focused on a $28 million endorsement from the now‑defunct carbon‑credit firm Aspiration. New reporting from the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast alleges that Leonard also received a separate multimillion‑dollar sponsorship from Daktronics, the company that built the “Halo Board” video screen at the Clippers’ Intuit Dome. Sources described the deal as “1,000 % a way to circumvent the salary cap,” suggesting the money was funneled through the team to the player.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and the franchise have denied any wrongdoing, and Daktronics says Leonard is not currently under contract. The alleged sponsorship, like the Aspiration deal, is said to be funded by the Clippers. The investigation has stalled a proposed trade that would send Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors, with both clubs waiting for the league’s findings before proceeding. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the probe remains open and that the trade will not move forward until the issues are resolved.