Co-founder Joseph Sanberg Aids NBA's Investigation into Clippers and Kawhi Leonard
The Los Angeles Clippers' season concluded last week in the Play-In Tournament, but the NBA's investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard remains active. Joseph Sanberg, co-founder of the now-defunct company Aspiration, has participated in two in-person interviews with the league, providing crucial documents related to the inquiry. According to David Anders, the attorney overseeing the investigation, Sanberg's cooperation has been instrumental in developing a clearer understanding of key events. In a letter submitted to Judge Stephen V. Wilson of the U.S. District Court, Anders noted: Sanberg's information aligned with other evidence reviewed. There were no promises made in exchange for his cooperation. Sanberg, who has pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud linked to a scheme defrauding investors of $248 million, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for each count. His attorneys are advocating for a lighter sentence. In a separate development, attorneys for Clippers owner Steve Ballmer asserted that he was also a victim of Sanberg's fraudulent actions, which they claim have damaged his reputation. They highlighted that Sanberg misled Ballmer regarding Aspiration's financial integrity. The NBA's investigation began in September 2025 after investigative journalist Pablo Torre revealed that Leonard's $28 million sponsorship deal with Aspiration was allegedly a cover for circumventing the salary cap. Torre's findings indicated that Leonard received substantial payments without meeting the sponsorship's requirements. Notably, the deal followed Ballmer's $50 million investment in Aspiration, coinciding with a $300 million, 23-year sponsorship agreement. Despite multiple requests, Sanberg and his legal team have not shared pertinent information with Ballmer's attorneys. Following the allegations, Ballmer initiated a thorough internal review of the Clippers and instructed team staff to fully cooperate with the NBA's investigation. As of now, there have been no significant updates on the investigation's status, with NBA commissioner Adam Silver indicating that the process remains complex and time-consuming.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-23