Kawhi Leonard Aspiration Scandal Tests NBA’s Integrity

Regarding Leonard’s deal with Aspiration, Ballmer says he didn’t even know the details until it was already closed. In the interview, Ballmer acknowledged feeling “anger and sadness” for his employees and fans. He emphasizes that Leonard and his entourage “have always followed the rules.”

The problem with this plot is all the questions that still exist, which seem to multiply as the days go by, and the few answers that are given.

Uncle Dennis and a Pattern Going Back to Toronto

Another name that has been mentioned frequently throughout this whole affair is Uncle Dennis. Uncle Dennis is Dennis Robertson, Leonard’s uncle and advisor. Most people point to him as the main culprit of the scandal, assuming the fraud is real.

Bill Simmons, sports journalist and founder and CEO of the sports and pop culture website The Ringer, suggests that Kawhi may not even have known anything about this and that it was all Dennis’s work behind the scenes, with Dennis, logically, being the one who benefited.

But why all this doubt about Uncle Dennis? Why would Kawhi’s uncle be suspected of doing this, with people suggesting that he was the main architect?

Well, Uncle Dennis already has several red flags in his history. In 2019, during negotiations with the Raptors, his name came up for a reason: Robertson allegedly demanded benefits beyond the usual— things that teams rarely agree to give— such as equity, use of a private jet, luxury housing, and guaranteed sponsorships without Kawhi having to do anything in return, including:

• He asked for part ownership of franchises such as the Toronto Maple Leafs.
• He demanded $10 million a year for sponsorship deals “with no promotional obligations,” just to cash in on the name.
• A private jet always available, a house, and other personal benefits that violate CBA standards.

Adding all this to the Aspiration deal (28M + stock + payments with no apparent return), it’s no longer just suspicion— it’s a pattern.

Kawhi’s Silence and That of His Entourage Casts Doubt

It is not unusual for Leonard to remain silent. In this case, neither Kawhi nor his entourage have said anything about the accusations, and he has been seen at public events such as the US Open.

Kawhi’s silence is something fans are used to. However, in this case, not commenting on the accusations is a problem.

Silence gives consent. The fact that Kawhi and those around him, such as his uncle, who may also be involved, are increasing the doubts in a case that already raises too many questions and unknowns is a bad look.

Kawhi’s time with the Clippers has given his fans many headaches, and this case is the most serious one yet.

After Wong’s announcement, some fans began to investigate how many games Kawhi played before receiving payment, and it is not surprising that he played few. What is surprising is that the fans themselves have begun to wonder if perhaps Leonard did not play because he did not receive payment. The lack of defense by Leonard and his entourage in the face of the accusations not only creates suspicion, but also raises doubts about how committed the superstar is to the team.

Steve Ballmer and the Richest and Ideal Owner Factor

The most important factor in this case is that Ballmer is the richest owner in the league by a long shot. Ballmer has a net worth of $153.9 billion, according to Forbes. This makes him by far the richest owner in the league.

The second richest owner in the league is Miriam Adelson, of the Adelson family. She has a net worth of $36.3 billion, according to Forbes. The difference between Ballmer and the rest of the owners is staggering.

Even with the numbers, it’s hard to understand the difference between the fortunes. Ignore, for a moment, the fact that Ballmer could buy all the franchises in the league without any problem. A normal, working person is closer to reaching the Adelson family’s fortune than the Adelson family is to reaching Ballmer’s fortune.

If Ballmer’s immeasurable fortune weren’t enough reason for the league to want to protect him, there’s also the fact that Ballmer is the ideal owner for Adam Silver. If Ballmer is known for anything in the league, besides his fortune, it’s for his craziness, and for being a very involved owner with his team.

Since acquiring the Clippers, Ballmer has spent a lot on his franchise. The Intuit Dome is the most expensive stadium in the league. It features the Wall, a special section for the team’s biggest fans. Marketing, advertising, and the best for his team. Ballmer spares no expense with the Clippers. That not only benefits the Clippers and their fans, but also the NBA and Adam Silver. This is another reason why the league will protect Ballmer at all costs.

Media Spin and the Soft-Cover Narrative

There’s plenty of reason to believe that the league wants to protect Ballmer.

First, there’s the interview with Ramona. In it, Steve Ballmer plays a great role, claiming that he is another victim of Aspiration and that he was defrauded. It is also worth noting that ESPN has not yet been as critical of the situation. In fact, it has been quite the opposite.

Ramona Shelburne explained that beyond Aspiration’s reported $350 million deal with the Clippers, the company also tried to secure naming rights for what became the Intuit Dome — bidding nearly double Intuit’s $550 million offer.

“That gives you an indication of the kind of money [Aspiration] was throwing around back in those days.”

Another interesting fact is the reports of the cases on the ESPN website. The ESPN article on the Kawhi Leonard case is 877 words long. Their article on ESPN’s interview with Steve Ballmer is 1082 words long.

There’s a clear imbalance in the shine ESPN has given to Ballmer so far compared to the heat they’re putting on Leonard and the Clippers’ organizations.

Adam Silver and the NBA’s Response

With all this information, the league and Adam Silver have taken a clear stance. They are going to protect Steve Ballmer.

It is true that the league has hired an outside law firm to investigate the case, but Silver and many reporters have already stated that “solid” evidence of fraud is needed. What Silver means by this is that if he does not find a letter written and signed by Ballmer confirming everything, he will not take action, or at least not serious action.

There has also been a league meeting with the owners to discuss the case, but it did not accomplish much. Silver went to the media assuring them that he was not aware of the existence of Aspiration. “When the podcast came out, frankly, I had never heard the name Aspiration. No agreement with Kawhi, no agreement with the Clippers, it was all new.”

“We quickly realized that this needs to be investigated by someone outside the NBA.”

The worst part is that it’s probably false. The NBA needs approval for certain commercial agreements with franchises. One for $330 million, that was going to be the Clippers’ patch at the time, 100% had to have reached the New York offices.

The Dichotomy of the Ballmer, Kawhi, and Clippers Fraud Case

Given all this information — all the reports and investigations that come out about the case every day; the silence of Kawhi and his entourage since day one; the silence of the Clippers and Ballmer with the new evidence; the whitewashing of the league and some media outlets regarding the case — a dichotomy presents itself.

There are two options that will shape the future of the league with this case. The choice will be made by Silver.

The first option would be for the league to sanction Ballmer and the Clippers with the largest penalty in league history. This would lead to a tightening of the league’s financial rules, a review of the other franchises, and greater oversight by the league.

But there is another option, which seems to be the one that will be taken based on the steps being taken by the league and Silver. Look the other way, protect Ballmer, and pretend nothing happened.

This is a test for the league and for the rules. If the league continues down this path, the rules are meaningless. The franchises will lose value. If the CBA doesn’t matter, nothing does. If owners can break the rules at will to sign and attract better players, the league will become monopolized. It will lose its essence, and whoever has the most money will always win. It will be the end of the league and justice in exchange for the same old thing: the power of money.