Thu Oct 23 12:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Clippers Season Opens Under Shadow of NBA Investigation into Kawhi Leonard’s Endorsement Deal

Los Angeles, CA – As the Los Angeles Clippers prepare to tip off their season Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz, an ongoing NBA investigation threatens to overshadow their on-court performance. The league is scrutinizing a potential $28 million “no-show” endorsement deal between Clippers star Kawhi Leonard and the now-bankrupt sustainability company, Aspiration.

The investigation centers on whether the Clippers, specifically Leonard and team owner Steve Ballmer, helped facilitate the deal for Leonard. Ballmer was an investor in Aspiration, a green bank founded by Joe Sanberg and Andrei Cherny. The Clippers and Aspiration previously struck a $300 million sponsorship deal in 2021, approved by the NBA, before Leonard’s individual arrangement.

Aspiration’s subsequent bankruptcy in March adds further complexity to the situation. Adding to the concern, co-founder Joe Sanberg pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud this week, admitting to defrauding investors out of $248 million.

Leonard addressed the allegations at the team’s media day, denying any wrongdoing. “There’s no wrongdoing there,” he stated, drawing parallels to other career adversities. Ballmer has remained publicly silent since the initial reports surfaced in early September.

Despite the off-court distractions, the Clippers organization appears focused on the upcoming season. Players have been seen participating in team-bonding activities, including community service and attending a recent Los Angeles Rams game. The team is hoping that the addition of James Harden will boost their performance this season.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has stated that the investigation does not currently threaten Los Angeles’s position as the host city for the 2026 All-Star Game, set to be played at the Clippers’ new Intuit Dome.

The NBA investigation remains ongoing, leaving a cloud of uncertainty over the Clippers as they embark on a season with championship aspirations.

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