NBA investigators have officially interviewed Los Angeles Clipper star Kawhi Leonard and his uncle and business adviser Dennis Robertson as part of a league investigation into possible salary cap circumvention, per ESPN’s Baxter Holmes.
The NBA is investigating a number of allegations that Leonard and the Clippers used the now-bankrupt company Aspiration, to compensate Leonard without the restrictions of the league-mandated salary cap.
TOP NEWS
Executives of that company, as well as Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and team executives, have also participated in interviews with the NBA regarding the case.
Just before the NBA Finals began on Wednesday, league commissioner Adam Silver said the investigation is paid for by the NBA, but is being conducted by an independent law firm.
“The investigation has been conducted by a law firm independent of the NBA,” Silver said. “At some point, we have to wrap it up. But at the same time, the most important thing is that we get it right.”
Last year, sports reporter and podcaster Pablo Torre uncovered documents that allege Ballmer invested millions into Aspiration in 2021, just before the company signed a $300 million deal with the Clippers.
Aspiration went on to sign Leonard to a $28 million endorsement deal six months later. An anonymous company employee allegedly told Torre that the deal was made to enable the Clippers to circumvent the salary cap.
Ballmer and the Clippers have publicly denied the allegations ever since, with Leonard’s camp reportedly doing the same.
It’s unclear how much longer the investigation will take or what kind of penalties may come of it, but the league is clearly being thorough.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
