Ballmer’s Defense: “They Conned Me”

Steve Ballmer’s public stance is one of a man betrayed. “They conned me,” he stated, painting himself as a victim of fraud at the hands of Aspiration’s founders, one of whom has already pleaded guilty to fraud charges. “I made an investment in these guys thinking it was on the up and up… At this stage, I have no ability to predict why they might have done anything they did.”

It’s a plausible defense for a man whose enthusiasm can sometimes outpace his due diligence. But the optics are terrible. The subsequent $10 million investment, coupled with a reported $1.99 million from co-owner Dennis Wong around the same time as a $1.75 million payment to Leonard, raises eyebrows so high they practically leave the room. It stretches credulity to believe that one of the world’s most successful businessmen was simply duped, not once, but twice, by the same failing entity.

The Lingering Questions for the Los Angeles Clippers

This saga isn’t just about money; it’s about trust, integrity, and the competitive balance of the NBA. The investigation casts a long, dark shadow over the Clippers’ entire Kawhi Leonard era. Did they build their modern contender on a foundation of deceit?

Further complicating matters are reports that Leonard’s camp made similar, “above board” requests to the Toronto Raptors during his 2019 free agency, blurring the lines between savvy negotiation and outright rule-breaking. Aspiration’s co-founder, Andrei Cherny, has disputed the “no-show” job allegation, pointing to a standard clause that allowed Leonard to refuse any work “not consistent with his beliefs.” It’s a convenient loophole, a contractual get-out-of-jail-free card that only adds to the intrigue.

For the fans of the Los Angeles Clippers, this is a bitter pill. After decades of playing second fiddle to the Lakers, the arrival of Leonard and Paul George was supposed to usher in a golden age. Instead, it’s been an era defined by injuries, playoff disappointments, and now, a scandal that calls the whole project into question. The shiny new arena, the bold promises, the championship aspirations—all of it feels tainted by the stench of a deal that just doesn’t pass the smell test. The Los Angeles Clippers wanted a king, and they got one in Kawhi. But the question now is, what was the real price of the crown?