
Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, claims he was 'duped' by Aspiration founder Joseph Sanberg regarding a fraudulent endorsement deal involving Kawhi Leonard. The NBA is investigating the situation, which may have violated salary cap rules.
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The Los Angeles Clippers were at the center of a major scandal involving an allegedly fraudulent endorsement deal this summer. A deal between a company called Aspiration and superstar Kawhi Leonard was allegedly used to circumvent the NBAâs salary cap.
2026 Mar 21; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The NBA is conducting an investigation into the allegedly fraudulent endorsement deal. Additionally, Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg will learn his prison sentence for his fraud conviction on Monday.
On Thursday, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer shared a letter he sent to U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson that claimed he and the Clippers franchise were âdupedâ by Aspiration.
âFive years ago, I invested in Aspiration, a company focused on environmental sustainability, a cause deeply important to me and my family. I also bought carbon credits and trees through the company to reduce the carbon footprint of the Clippers, Intuit Dome, the Kia Forum and all our fans and patrons.
âAspirationâs founder, Joe Sanberg, engaged in fraud that injured many, and eventually, took the company down. I was duped and feel silly about that. Everyone who believed in Aspiration, including employees, customers and investors, was also duped. Everyone is still tallying the losses. Here is the letter I submitted to Judge Wilson ahead of Mondayâs scheduled sentencing of Joe Sanberg,â Ballmer wrote in a .
Steve Ballmer stated he was 'duped' by Aspiration founder Joseph Sanberg regarding the endorsement deal.
The Clippers are under investigation by the NBA for potentially violating salary cap rules due to the endorsement deal.
Joseph Sanberg will learn his prison sentence for his fraud conviction on Monday.


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Mar 16, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer reacts against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
According to Ballmerâs letter to the judge, he invested $60 million into Aspiration. In addition to the financial losses Ballmer suffered by investing in Aspiration, Ballmerâs letter claims he has also suffered reputational damage.
There is no timeline for when the NBA will complete its investigation into the endorsement deal. However, there is reportedly no longer an expectation that Leonardâs contract with the Clippers will be voided, which was initially listed as a potential punishment if found guilty.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The post Clippersâ Steve Ballmer Tells Court He Was âDupedâ by Aspiration Founder appeared first on LA Sports Report.