Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has repeatedly insisted his organization did nothing wrong regarding the Kawhi Leonard-Aspiration scandal. He has publicly stated, “I feel quite confident that we abided by the rules,” and told the Sports Business Journal’s Drive event that “this too shall pass” while welcoming the NBA inquiry. His defense hinges on being a victim of fraud, claiming he was “conned” by Aspiration’s founders. The NBA reopened the investigation after reporting showed Aspiration paid Kawhi Leonard a controversial four-year, $28 million endorsement deal, and Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg later pleaded guilty to defrauding investors.

This stance of innocent victimhood is now facing its most serious challenge. Until now, the obstacles in that defense had come i

See Full Page