The NBA hired New York-based law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to investigate allegations that Kawhi Leonard’s endorsement deal with a tree-planting company called Aspiration was made to circumvent the Los Angeles Clippers salary cap, sources told The Athletic.
Pablo Torre originally reported that Leonard signed a four-year, $28 million deal with Aspiration that contractually required no services. Leonard also had a separate deal to receive $20 million in company stock.
Steve Ballmer said he introduced Aspiration to Leonard, though had no knowledge of any endorsement deal. Ballmer then added that he was “conned” by the company.
In addition to the law firm, the NBA will also have its own investigators to consult on the investigation.
Wachtell Lipton is the same law firm that NBA used to investigate misconduct from Donald Sterling and Robert Sarver. Ownership of both the Clippers and Suns would change hands, with owners voting to remove Sterling and Sarver selling the Suns after getting suspended for one year.
Ballmer is the richest owner in the league with a personal worth of $153 billion.
