Clippers owner Steve Ballmer insists that he was misled about the investment and calling for transparency as the NBA launches a formal probe into the allegations.

Fresh off a roster overhaul that saw Los Angeles add veterans like Brook Lopez, Chris Paul, and Bradley Beal, the Clippers were riding high on championship hopes before the landscape shifted overnight.

Reporting by Pablo Torre of The Athletic revealed court documents detailing a $28 million “no-show job” endorsement for Leonard with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt tree-planting firm reportedly backed by $50 million from Ballmer.

The alleged arrangement, described by sources as a scheme to skirt the NBA’s salary cap, sent shockwaves across the league just as the Clippers were billed as top contenders. 

Ballmer Defends Himself: “I Was Conned”

Faced with mounting scrutiny, Ballmer broke his silence, sitting down for an ESPN interview with reporter Ramona Shelburne. Visibly frustrated, he rejected all suggestions of wrongdoing:

“Express I guess some of the anger I’m feeling about what’s going on...I’m mad, but I’m also sad that they’re going through this as well as our staff and our fans,” he said.

Ballmer argued that he never saw relevant court documents and admitted to feeling swindled by Aspiration’s founders, who have pleaded guilty to wire fraud after the company’s collapse.

“I made an investment in these guys. They conned me,” Ballmer told ESPN, distancing the Clippers’ salary dealings from any off-books payments to Leonard. 

NBA Investigation Looms: Clippers Welcome Scrutiny

The scandal has prompted the NBA to open a formal inquiry, with Ballmer actively encouraging league officials to “take it seriously” and investigate fully. He stressed that the franchise has “nothing to hide” and hopes the process will clear any doubts over the team’s handling of salary cap rules.

While Ballmer maintains his innocence and the legitimacy of the Clippers’ business practices, the outcome of the NBA’s investigation will determine whether the franchise faces penalties or emerges unscathed heading into the new season. 

As speculation swirls and the league’s eyes turn to Los Angeles, Ballmer and the Clippers are navigating turbulent waters, with organizational reputation and their championship quest at stake.