Image Credit: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Investigates LA Clippers for Cap Violations, After Quietly Approving the Same Aspiration Deal in 2021

Image Credit: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Clippers’ partnership with Aspiration has become one of the offseason’s most debated topics. While Adam Silver initially claimed the NBA had no prior knowledge of the arrangement, a report by ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Baxter Holmes suggests otherwise.

According to ESPN, “The NBA vetted and approved a $300 million sponsorship deal between the LA Clippers and Aspiration in 2021, months before the green banking company signed a separate deal with star Kawhi Leonard that has triggered a salary cap-circumvention investigation.”

Two sources with direct knowledge told ESPN that the LA Clippers submitted the 23-year agreement for league approval before its public announcement in September 2021, as required for any deal involving a jersey patch component.

The LA Clippers reportedly are accused of circumventing the NBA's salary cap by paying $28 million to Kawhi Leonard for a "no-show job."@PabloTorre reported on his podcast Wednesday that the Clippers paid Leonard through a now-bankrupt company owned by Clippers owner Steve… pic.twitter.com/9CnxW14DWM
— ESPN (@espn) September 3, 2025

Timeline and mounting controversy

The partnership’s roots trace back to 2021, but scrutiny intensified after journalist Pablo Torre reported that the LA Clippers may have attempted to bypass salary cap restrictions through indirect payments connected to Leonard’s endorsement.

ESPN’s findings clarified that most sponsorship agreements do not require NBA review, except those involving visible branding elements like jersey logos. The LA Clippers had planned to display Aspiration’s logo during the 2023–24 season, though that never materialized. The team later claimed it ended its partnership the season prior.

Owner Steve Ballmer denied any wrongdoing, stating he was “conned” by the company, which received nearly $118 million in investments from Ballmer and related entities between 2021 and 2023. Under league policy, teams can only introduce players to potential sponsors, not facilitate or invest in personal deals.

Investigation continues amid uncertain outcome

The situation remains fluid as the NBA continues reviewing financial and contractual records tied to the sponsorship. If violations are found, the Clippers could face serious penalties comparable to previous salary-related cases.

Commissioner Adam Silver has stressed fairness and said the outcome will depend on the probe’s findings once fully reviewed.

Given the scale of the transactions and documentation involved, league officials suggest that the investigation may not reach its conclusion until after the 2026 NBA playoffs.