Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard’s Endorsement Deal With Aspiration Was Actually Worth $48 Million

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard‘s endorsement deal with “Aspiration” was actually worth $48 million, according to NBA reporter John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal.

Leonard allegedly received a no-work contract from “Aspiration” so that he could be paid more money without it counting against the NBA’s salary rules.

The NBA will investigate this matter between Leonard, the Clippers and “Aspiration.”

“The $28 million deal was to be paid in quarterly installments over four years, but it was not the only compensation Kawhi Leonard received,” Karalis wrote. “According to a high-level source, Leonard also cut a side deal with Aspiration to receive an additional $20 million in company stock. The stock was to be paid out from Sanberg’s personal holdings in the company over four years. That brought the total of promised compensation to Leonard to $48 million.”

Leonard’s uncle and chief business partner, Dennis Robertson, asked teams for improper benefits in 2019, according to The Athletic. A two-time Finals MVP, Leonard was linked to the Toronto Raptors, Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers in 2019. He left the Raptors for the Clippers on a three-year, $104 million contract

Leonard, 34, signed a three-year, $149.5 million extension with the Clippers in January 2024. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year has appeared in 266 regular-season games and 35 playoff games with LAC.

A six-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer, Leonard has played for the San Antonio Spurs, Raptors and Clippers. He has career averages of 20.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.6 blocks.

In 2000, it was discovered that the Minnesota Timberwolves engaged in an illegal secret agreement with Joe Smith by allegedly promising to pay him a future multimillion-dollar deal if he signed with the team on a shorter contract for less money.

The NBA penalized the Timberwolves by removing five first-round draft picks, fining the team $3.5 million and banning head coach Kevin McHale and owner Glen Taylor for a season, along with voiding the contracts for Smith.