UPDATE: The former CEO of Aspiration, Andrei Cherny, has categorically denied allegations that NBA star Kawhi Leonard entered into a no-show contract with the company. Cherny’s statement, posted on X, comes in response to claims that arose following a report from the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast.
Cherny emphasized that the contract with Leonard included three pages of extensive obligations, which he asserts Leonard was required to fulfill. “If Leonard did not meet those obligations, Aspiration could terminate the contract,” he stated, underscoring the contractual expectations.
The controversy intensified after reports indicated that Aspiration had agreed to a $28 million endorsement deal with Leonard in 2022—a deal allegedly intended to circumvent the NBA salary cap. This comes on the heels of Steve Ballmer, owner of the LA Clippers, reportedly investing $50 million through his personal LLC in September 2021, just before the Clippers announced a significant $300 million partnership with Aspiration.
Adding to the narrative, an unnamed former employee of Aspiration claimed that the payments to Leonard were a means to bypass league regulations. On Thursday, Torre revealed that Clippers limited partner Dennis J. Wong invested $1.99 million in Aspiration shortly before the company issued a $1.75 million payment to Leonard.
The league is currently investigating possible violations of NBA rules by Ballmer and the Clippers, who have consistently denied any wrongdoing. Ballmer himself has stated he had no knowledge of the contract or any directives regarding it.
In his statement, Cherny mentioned that he finalized the contract with Leonard just before resigning from Aspiration in 2022. “During discussions about the sponsorship, I do not recall any conversations concerning the NBA salary cap,” he stated. He further noted that there had been numerous discussions about the plans for Leonard as the 2022-23 season approached.
Cherny, who declined to provide further comments beyond his statement, pointed out that he cannot speak to anything that transpired after his departure from the company.
The situation continues to unfold as the NBA probes deeper into the allegations. Aspiration itself filed for bankruptcy in 2025, and co-founder Joe Sanberg recently pled guilty to wire fraud for defrauding investors and lenders of over $248 million.
As this story develops, fans and stakeholders in the NBA are urged to stay tuned for further updates. The implications of these allegations could significantly impact the Clippers and their operations going forward.
