Adam Silver says Clippers probe must wrap up soon
SkimNews Take
The league's investigation into the Clippers' alleged cap violations, particularly the endorsement deal with a bankrupt fintech company tied to the owner, suggests that teams may be testing the boundaries of financial arrangements beyond traditional player salaries.
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- Adam Silver said the Clippers investigation must wrap up soon, but declined to set a specific deadline.
- Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz began the independent probe in September, examining whether the Clippers used Kawhi Leonard’s $28 million Aspiration endorsement to skirt the salary cap.
- Aspiration, which held a $300 million, 23‑year endorsement deal with the Clippers, filed for bankruptcy, and its co‑founder Joe Sanberg received a 14‑year prison sentence for wire fraud.
- Steve Ballmer, the Clippers’ owner who invested $60 million in Aspiration, denies any knowledge of Leonard’s deal or directing the company to strike it.
- NBA board of governors approved Silver’s draft‑lottery reforms aimed at curbing tanking, a separate issue he addressed alongside the investigation.
Why it matters: The Clippers face possible penalties that could alter their roster and cap flexibility, while the league seeks finality for all 30 teams; the draft‑lottery reforms aim to curb tanking.
