Amid Kawhi Leonard sponsorship scandal, Mark Cuban makes shocking statement to Clippers

As the Los Angeles Clippers find themselves at the center of a growing controversy involving Kawhi Leonard, a $28 million endorsement deal, and alleged efforts to circumvent the NBA salary cap, a surprising voice has entered the conversation—former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. In a public statement on social media, Cuban made it clear: he’s standing with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, calling the scandal a misunderstanding and blaming a now-bankrupt company for misleading everyone involved.

On Wednesday, journalist Pablo Torre released a podcast episode alleging that Ballmer paid Leonard through a “no-show” marketing job with Aspiration, a sustainability startup Ballmer funded. The contract, reportedly worth $28 million over four years, allegedly allowed Leonard to receive payment without performing significant work—an arrangement that would violate NBA salary cap rules if proven true.

Mark Cuban’s Response: “I’m on Team Ballmer”

Shortly after Torre’s episode aired, Cuban took to social media to respond to the allegations. His reaction was firm and unwavering:

“I’m on Team Ballmer,” Cuban wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “As much as I wish they circumvented the salary cap, First, Steve isn’t that dumb… They got scammed by Aspiration, along with many others.”

According to Cuban, the idea that Ballmer would risk such a blatant violation of NBA rules is illogical—especially given the fact that Aspiration filed for bankruptcy, making all financial records public. He argued that if Ballmer had used the company to funnel hidden money to Leonard, it wouldn’t make sense to let that company go under, knowing all its financial ties—including the alleged deal with KL2 Aspire LLC, Leonard’s personal company—would become accessible in public court filings.

The Allegations: Did the Clippers Circumvent the Salary Cap?

The core of Torre’s report revolves around the idea that the Clippers, through Steve Ballmer’s investment in Aspiration, created a side agreement to pay Leonard outside of his official NBA salary. The company reportedly signed Leonard to a four-year endorsement contract, from 2022 to 2025, worth $28 million.

Aspiration, a green-focused financial tech company, filed for bankruptcy in early 2025, and court documents list KL2 Aspire LLC as one of its creditors. Leonard’s LLC was reportedly still owed $7 million at the time of the filing. Adding fuel to the fire, Aspiration’s co-founder Joe Sanberg was recently arrested on charges of wire fraud, and the company has faced multiple legal claims from investors.

Torre suggested the payment may have been a strategic attempt to keep Leonard with the Clippers while skirting the NBA’s salary cap restrictions.

NBA Officially Launches Investigation

Following the release of Torre’s podcast, an NBA spokesperson confirmed that the league is investigating the matter. The NBA has long taken salary cap violations seriously. If it finds that the Clippers used third-party entities to pay Leonard in exchange for his continued participation with the team, the punishment could be severe.

According to the NBA’s current collective bargaining agreement, violations of this magnitude could result in:

• A fine of up to $4.5 million

• Loss of future first-round draft picks

• Potential voiding of Leonard’s current contract

The investigation is ongoing, and the league has not yet commented on a timeline for its conclusions.

Cuban: “They Got Scammed Like Everyone Else”

Mark Cuban, who recently sold his majority stake in the Mavericks but remains a prominent figure in NBA business circles, believes that Aspiration scammed the Clippers, not the other way around.

“They did a $300 million sponsorship deal with the Clippers in 2021,” Cuban wrote. “That’s a HUGE deal. The better the team does, the more value the sponsorship has. If they stole money from investors and want the Clippers to succeed, why not give stolen money to help keep their best player?”

Cuban emphasized that Ballmer had no reason to risk such a violation and that the default assumption that the billionaire acted with malicious intent is misguided.

The Clippers Respond: “Absurd” and “Provably False”

The Clippers organization has issued a full-throated denial of any wrongdoing. In an official statement distributed to multiple media outlets, the team said:

“Neither the Clippers nor Steve Ballmer circumvented the salary cap. The notion that Steve invested in Aspiration in order to funnel money to Kawhi Leonard is absurd. Steve invested because Aspiration’s co-founders presented themselves as committed to doing right by their customers while protecting the environment.”

The statement also clarified that the Clippers cut ties with Aspiration during the 2022–23 season after the company defaulted on its obligations. Furthermore, the team claimed it had no knowledge of any misconduct by Aspiration or its founders until federal charges were brought.

What Happens Next?

As the league investigates, the spotlight remains firmly on the Clippers and Steve Ballmer. Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard has not yet commented publicly on the situation. Leonard is a key part of the Clippers’ future, having signed a three-year, $153 million extension in January 2024. Since joining the team in 2019, Leonard has signed three contracts and has become one of the franchise’s cornerstone players.

Last season, Leonard continued to play at an elite level, averaging 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and shooting an efficient 49.8% from the field, 41.1% from three-point range, and 81% from the free-throw line. He remains a two-time NBA Finals MVP and a six-time All-NBA honoree.

If the NBA finds that Leonard’s business relationship with Aspiration was structured to keep him with the Clippers beyond what was legally permissible, the implications could go far beyond the franchise—impacting Leonard’s legacy and possibly triggering contract penalties.

Final Thoughts: Cuban’s Comments Add Nuance to a Complex Scandal

While the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers continues, Mark Cuban’s public support of Steve Ballmer adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Cuban’s defense implies that the true villain may not be Ballmer or the Clippers, but Aspiration, a company already under legal fire for allegedly defrauding investors.

Still, the final determination rests with the league’s investigators. If evidence supports Torre’s claims, the Clippers could be facing the harshest penalty for a cap violation in recent memory. If Cuban is right, the Clippers may be victims of fraud, not perpetrators of deception.

Until the investigation concludes, one thing is clear: the story has captured the attention of the basketball world, and its outcome could have long-term consequences for how NBA teams manage player endorsements, ownership investments, and third-party business relationships.