Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer addressed the growing controversy surrounding Aspiration and Kawhi Leonard’s endorsement deal, saying he was “personally defrauded” in interactions with the company.
Speaking at Sports Business Journal’s AXS DRIVE event in Los Angeles, Ballmer said he welcomed the NBA’s investigation and expressed confidence that the franchise operated within league rules. “This is not a fun thing to be through,” he told SBJ Publisher Abe Madkour. “I was personally defrauded through our interactions with the company and some of the staff.”
The comments come as Aspiration faces new scrutiny following a joint statement from former top executives. The group, which included ex-CFO Rojeh Avanesian, ex-COO and CLO Mike Shuckerow, and ex-CTO Eric Anderson, said the $28 million contract with Leonard’s KL2 Aspire LLC was pushed through by then-CEO Andrei Cherny against their objections.
They argued the deal bypassed the company’s investment committee and was not aligned with its long-term strategy. Records reviewed in previous reporting by Pablo Torre showed Clippers minority owner Dennis J. Wong wired nearly $2 million into Aspiration in December 2022. Nine days later, Leonard’s company received a $1.75 million payment.
The timing raised questions, as Aspiration was simultaneously laying off employees and reporting steep financial losses. Wong’s daughter also worked at the firm during that period, further fueling speculation about internal awareness of the company’s financial health.
Ballmer emphasized that the Clippers’ sponsorship and activation ties to Aspiration were separate from Leonard’s personal endorsement. “Our relationship with the company and our player’s relationship with the company were independent, which is important under the rules of the NBA,” Ballmer said. “I feel quite confident in that.”
The Clippers issued a statement describing Aspiration as “a house of cards” that defrauded Ballmer and other investors, while reiterating that the organization is cooperating with league investigators.
Former finance officials at Aspiration called Wong’s investment “shocking” and inconsistent with the company’s previous fundraising practices. The Athletic reported that employee dismissals occurred the same day Leonard’s payment cleared.
Ballmer acknowledged the negative attention but said he remains focused on long-term goals. “There’s nothing fun about being highlighted in this way,” he said. “It’s a whole lot more fun to be highlighted for building a great arena. But this too shall pass.”
