Following a report uncovering potential wrongdoing regarding an endorsement deal connected to a contract extension between the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard in early 2024, team owner Steve Ballmer sat down with ESPN to talk about his role in the situation, stressing that the NBA should indeed investigate the allegations.

“Salary cap circumvention rules are important to the league, and I’d want the league to investigate,” he said.

The case, revealed by Pablo Torre of The Athletic on Wednesday, raises concerns about sidestepping various restrictions and potentially committing a salary-cap violation, warranting a league investigation. Directly, it amounts to a $50 million investment into the since-bankrupt company, Aspiration, by Ballmer and especially an uncommon $28 million

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