Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard addressed the controversy surrounding his endorsement deal with the now-bankrupt financial company Aspiration, dismissing recent reports as “clickbait journalism” and insisting that neither he nor the Clippers engaged in any wrongdoing.
Speaking at Clippers Media Day, Leonard was asked directly about allegations first raised by journalist Pablo Torre, who reported that Leonard had signed a lucrative “no-show” contract with Aspiration in 2021 as a way for the Clippers to circumvent the NBA salary cap.
“I understand the full contract and the services I had to do,” Leonard said. “I don’t deal with conspiracies or the clickbait analyst or journalism that’s going on. That’s what it is”.
When pressed on whether he ever performed services for the company, Leonard rejected the claim that he did not.
“I don’t think it’s accurate,” he said, adding that the company’s bankruptcy had been known to him for some time.
Bankruptcy filings revealed Leonard as one of Aspiration’s largest creditors, with reports indicating he was owed at least $7 million when the company collapsed. Leonard confirmed that he never received the full amount promised under the contract.
“No, but the company went belly up. It was fraud, as everybody knows,” he said.
Kawhi Leonard’s full exchange with @ramonashelburne regarding the Clippers/Aspiration investigation.
“I understand the full contract and the services I had to do. I don’t deal with conspiracies or the clickbait analyst or journalism that’s going on.”
Kawhi adds, “I don’t think… pic.twitter.com/tkBCgrp5jk
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 29, 2025
The Clippers organization and owner Steve Ballmer have repeatedly denied any involvement in improper activity, stating that the team welcomes the NBA’s investigation. Leonard echoed that stance:
“The NBA is going to do their job. None of us did no wrongdoing. That’s it. We invite the investigations. It’s not going to be a distraction for me or my team”.
Kawhi Leonard echoed the Clippers comments, saying there was no wrongdoing done:
“The NBA is going to do their job. None of us did no wrongdoing. That’s it. We invite the investigations. It’s not going to be a distraction for me or my team.” pic.twitter.com/NJh4dngdpK
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 29, 2025
The allegations stem from a four-year, $28 million endorsement deal Leonard signed with Aspiration shortly after joining the Clippers. The company, which marketed itself as a socially conscious financial services firm, later collapsed amid fraud accusations against its leadership.
While the NBA’s investigation continues, Leonard made it clear he is focused on basketball. Entering his sixth season with the Clippers, he emphasized that the controversy will not derail the team’s preparation.
For Leonard, the message was simple: the accusations are misleading, the money was never fully paid, and the league will sort out the rest.
