NBA Investigates $28M Kawhi Leonard Endorsement Cap Circumvention

In 2019, during Kawhi Leonard's free agency negotiations with the Toronto Raptors, his uncle and advisor made an unusual request for an ownership stake in the Toronto Maple Leafs, which was denied because both teams are owned by the same company, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Leonard's camp also made other extreme demands, including guaranteed endorsement deals and private plane access, which contributed to his decision to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers instead. Recently, the NBA has launched an investigation into whether a $28 million endorsement deal between Leonard and a California-based sustainability firm, Aspiration Fund Adviser, LLC, was used by the Clippers to circumvent salary cap rules. Leonard is listed as the manager of a related company, KL2 Aspire LLC, and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested heavily in Aspiration, denying any wrongdoing. This probe comes amid growing concerns over potential salary cap circumvention linked to Leonard's contracts and endorsements. The league's investigation could shed light on a pattern of unconventional dealings involving Leonard, his representatives, and the Clippers.