The NBA is looking into a report alleging that Clippers star Kawhi Leonard signed a no-show marketing deal worth $28 million to evade the salary cap.
“We’re aware of this morning’s media report regarding the LA Clippers and have initiated an investigation,” stated NBA spokesman Mike Bass.
This information surfaced during a recent episode of the Pablo Torre Discovery podcast, which received partial funding from a $50 million investment by Steve Ballmer, the owner of a San Francisco-based environmental startup.
According to the podcast, the agreement was described as a “no-show job” aimed at circumventing the league’s salary cap.
Torre mentioned speaking with seven former employees from the finance department.
One source reportedly reacted with disbelief: “I was like, ‘Oh, these are the main contracts, the main players you really need to know.’ It felt like we had a deal with a top-tier name.”
The Clippers, however, have denied these claims. They reiterated their stance in a statement, asserting that neither Ballmer nor the team engaged in any misconduct related to the salary cap.
The official response said, “The argument to the contrary is certainly false. The team ended a relationship stemming from a misunderstanding a few years ago in the 2022-23 season and fulfilled all obligations. Neither the Clippers nor Ballmer were aware of any inappropriate activities by the co-founders.”
The statement added, “The team and Mr. Ballmer stand ready to assist law enforcement in any way.”
Kawhi Leonard joined the Clippers in 2019 with a four-year contract worth $141 million.
He later re-signed with them in 2021 on another four-year deal and has since secured a three-year agreement that will keep him in Los Angeles until the 2026-27 season.
The marketing agreement in question reportedly began during the initial re-signing period.
