Clippers' Ballmer Invests $10M More in Embattled Aspiration Amid NBA Probe

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has invested nearly $10 million in Aspiration in March 2023, following his initial $50 million investment in 2021, despite the company’s financial struggles and allegations of fraud against its co-founder, Joe Sanberg. This second investment came as Aspiration was struggling to pay Kawhi Leonard, who had a reported no-show endorsement deal worth $28 million over four years with the company, raising suspicions of salary cap circumvention by funneling money through Aspiration. Clippers minority owner Dennis Wong also invested nearly $2 million in late 2022, with Leonard receiving a late payment shortly after. Ballmer has denied any knowledge of wrongdoing and stated he was "conned" by Aspiration, whose co-founder pled guilty to defrauding investors of over $248 million. The NBA is investigating the allegations, which could result in fines, forfeiture of draft picks, or voiding of contracts if salary cap circumvention is confirmed. Despite Ballmer’s claims, legal filings and insider reports continue to link the Clippers’ ownership to the controversial financial dealings involving Aspiration and Leonard.