BOSTON — A 2023 whistleblower complaint to the SEC accused Aspiration of fraudulently misusing funds to assist the LA Clippers circumvent salary cap restrictions to pay star Kawhi Leonard “an incentivized bonus,” according to a new report by the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast.
Broadcasting live from the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, the podcast shared screenshots of the complaint, but did not report if the SEC verified the whistleblower’s account. The SEC brought charges against Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg last year, alleging Sanberg committed fraud in how he presented the company’s finances. Those charges did not mention the Clippers.
The NBA is currently investigating allegations that the Clippers and their owner, Steve Ballmer, paid Leonard millions of dollars more than they were allowed to under league salary cap rules through a four-year, $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration, a California-based environmental company. Sanberg also personally gave Leonard $20 million in Aspiration equity. Leonard never appeared in any marketing campaigns for the company. Aspiration filed for bankruptcy in March 2025, the same month the U.S. Department of Justice charged Sanberg with fraud. Leonard, through an LLC, was listed as a creditor for $7 million.
Sanberg pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges last year and is awaiting sentencing. The SEC’s investigation into Aspiration is ongoing, according to “Pablo Torre Finds Out.”
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