Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg has cooperated with the NBA's ongoing probe into the Los Angeles Clippers over alleged salary-cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard. Sanberg conducted two in-person interviews and provided relevant documents, according to the league's lead investigator. The investigation stems from a sponsorship deal with Sanberg's now-bankrupt company.
The Los Angeles Clippers face scrutiny from the NBA for allegedly using a sponsorship agreement with Aspiration to funnel payments to Kawhi Leonard outside the salary cap. The probe began in September 2025 following podcast episodes by investigative reporter Pablo Torre, who revealed Leonard's $28 million deal with Aspiration lacked fulfillment of requirements. This came after Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested $50 million in the firm, followed by a $300 million, 23-year team sponsorship and another $10 million from Ballmer, totaling $60 million. ESPN reports Sanberg met league investigators twice in person and supplied documents that aided the inquiry. David Anders, the NBA attorney leading the effort, wrote in a letter to U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson that Sanberg's information aligned with other evidence and substantially helped understand key events, with no promises exchanged. Sanberg recently pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud for defrauding investors of $248 million, facing up to 40 years in prison. Ballmer's attorneys submitted their own letter to the judge, portraying him as a victim of Sanberg's scheme. They noted Sanberg's false representations about the company's finances and environmental mission, and highlighted Ballmer's prompt internal review and full cooperation with the NBA after allegations surfaced. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver described the case as enormously complex during All-Star weekend in February, citing Aspiration's bankruptcy, thousands of documents, and multiple witnesses. He provided no timeline for completion.
