started · updated
NBA investigates Clippers over alleged Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention
The NBA is conducting an ongoing investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers regarding allegations of salary cap circumvention involving star player Kawhi Leonard. While ESPN reported that the league found no evidence that owner Steve Ballmer funneled money to Leonard through sponsorship deals, the NBA has officially pushed back on this report, stating it contains “numerous and significant inaccuracies” and that the investigation is not yet concluded.
The probe is reportedly shifting focus toward whether the Clippers violated league rules by introducing Leonard to team sponsors, potentially constituting a “failure to supervise” employees. The investigation was initially sparked by a $28 million endorsement deal between Leonard and the now-bankrupt Aspiration Partners Inc.
The uncertainty has impacted other franchises; the Toronto Raptors have placed a hold on a potential trade for Leonard, citing the risk of assuming any disciplinary fallout resulting from the Clippers' investigation. Meanwhile, reporter Pablo Torre has alleged that Ballmer has been negotiating a resolution to the investigation behind the scenes.
Entities
ESPN · Kawhi Leonard · Los Angeles Clippers · NBA · Steve Ballmer · Toronto Raptors
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Reporter Pablo Torre claimed that Steve Ballmer has been negotiating a resolution to the investigation behind the scenes. www.thebiglead.com · clutchpoints.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] The Toronto Raptors have placed a hold on a potential trade for Kawhi Leonard due to the risk of inheriting disciplinary fallout from the investigation. cassiuslife.com · thebeatdfw.com · clutchpoints.com · foxync.com · hiphopnc.com · +2 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] ESPN reported that the NBA found no evidence that Steve Ballmer funneled money to Kawhi Leonard through sponsorship deals to circumvent the salary cap. www.thegistsports.com · bitcoinethereumnews.com · cassiuslife.com · thebeatdfw.com · hoy.com.do · +5 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The NBA investigation is focusing on whether the Clippers failed to supervise employees regarding their introduction of Leonard to team sponsors. bitcoinethereumnews.com · cassiuslife.com · thebeatdfw.com · hoy.com.do · foxync.com · +2 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The NBA stated that ESPN's report regarding the Clippers investigation contains significant inaccuracies. cassiuslife.com · thebeatdfw.com · foxync.com · hiphopnc.com · hotspotatl.com
- [DISPUTED] The NBA has not yet reached a final conclusion or issued a ruling regarding the Clippers investigation. cassiuslife.com · thebeatdfw.com · foxync.com · hiphopnc.com · hotspotatl.com