NBA disputes ESPN report on Clippers salary-cap probe
The league said ESPN’s story on the Clippers’ salary-cap investigation contained multiple inaccuracies, while both sides await the conclusion of the probe.
The National Basketball Association issued a statement contesting an ESPN report that outlined findings from its investigation into whether the Los Angeles Clippers bypassed the salary cap. The league said the article “contains numerous and significant inaccuracies” and that the final results will be disclosed after the investigation is completed.
"ESPN’s article regarding the LA Clippers investigation — for which the NBA declined to cooperate — contains numerous and significant inaccuracies," the NBA statement read.
ESPN had reported that the NBA found no evidence that owner Steve Ballmer directly funneled money to star forward Kawhi Leonard through team sponsors and that the league and the Clippers were negotiating a resolution. The NBA did not specify which details were incorrect.
"We stand by our reporting, which included numerous attempts by ESPN to get comment from the NBA," an ESPN spokesperson said.
The Clippers also issued a statement denying any undisclosed compensation to Leonard outside his NBA contract. The investigation, launched in September, initially focused on a $28 million endorsement deal Leonard signed with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt environmental firm, and later expanded to examine other possible undisclosed sponsorships and expense reimbursements.
Sources familiar with the case said the probe also looked at a reported sponsorship with Daktronics, the maker of the Intuit Dome’s video screen. Ballmer has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and described himself as a victim of fraud after investing $60 million in Aspiration, whose co-founder was recently sentenced on federal fraud charges. NBPA executive director David Kelly said he does not “think that there’s a ‘there’ there.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver indicated he hopes the investigation will be wrapped up by the end of the summer, before the 2026-27 season begins. The inquiry has delayed a pending trade that would send Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors, leaving Leonard, Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick in limbo as the Raptors await league clearance.