Leonard linked to undisclosed Daktronics sponsorship amid Clippers cap probe

A recent episode of the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast said Kawhi Leonard held an undisclosed sponsorship agreement with Daktronics, the firm that supplied the video board for the Clippers' Intuit Dome. The report, based on several anonymous sources within the Clippers organization and the arena project, said the deal was worth "millions of dollars," though the exact timing remains unclear.

The revelation comes as the Clippers are under investigation by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz over a separate $28 million endorsement from Aspiration, a now-bankrupt environmental company. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has claimed he was misled by Aspiration and its co-founder, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison for wire fraud.

When contacted for comment, a Daktronics spokesperson referred the inquiry to a crisis-management firm, which replied that the company does not currently have a deal with Leonard and could not comment further because of the ongoing investigation. A search of Daktronics' website shows no public record of a partnership with the player.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league has not halted a proposed trade of Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, noting that the parties chose not to proceed while the investigation remains open. Silver added that the probe should be concluded before the next season and that any violations could result in fines, loss of draft picks, or other penalties for the Clippers and possibly void Leonard's contract.

Leonard and the Clippers have repeatedly denied wrongdoing. Leonard told reporters after the season that he believes he is "in the clear" and is not stressed, while Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said the organization is "on the right side of this."