Robert O’Connor and Harriet Ryan of The Wall Street Journal have published an in-depth investigation into Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg and the controversy surrounding the Los Angeles Clippers’ alleged use of the now-bankrupt “green bank” to secretly benefit star forward Kawhi Leonard.
According to the report, the Clippers are accused of orchestrating a lucrative endorsement agreement between Leonard and Aspiration that may have effectively allowed the team to get around NBA salary cap restrictions.
Sources told WSJ that Sanberg informed a senior Aspiration executive that the Clippers themselves initiated the idea of the endorsement deal at a time when Leonard was injured and unable to play. “This is important to the Clippers,” the executive recalled Sanberg saying.
The deal, which promised Leonard a significant payday for representing the eco-friendly financial firm, drew concern within Aspiration’s leadership.
Several top executives reportedly expressed deep reservations about the arrangement – particularly its cost and optics – but, according to the report, none questioned whether it was being used as a workaround for NBA cap rules.
O’Connor and Ryan note that the investigation sheds light on the complex relationship between team sponsorships, player marketing deals, and league compliance policies.
The NBA prohibits teams from using third-party agreements as hidden financial incentives to lure or retain players.
While neither the Clippers nor owner Steve Ballmer have been formally accused of wrongdoing, the WSJ report suggests the arrangement raised red flags internally and could attract renewed scrutiny as the league continues to monitor violations related to salary-cap circumvention.
Bradley Beal already feels comfortable in Los Angeles, plus more on the Clippers. https://t.co/k972YqrlMT
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