After nearly a year of speculation, the investigation into Kawhi Leonard’s controversial endorsement deal has finally ended. The investigation uncovered a pattern of misconduct and significant rule violations by the Los Angeles Clippers organization.
The NBA’s harsh punishment of the Clippers has once again brought an ESPN report from last month on Leonard’s scandal into the spotlight, prompting a furious reaction from fans.
Kawhi Leonard Scandal Verdict Sparks Outrage As Fans Revisit Controversial ESPN Report
The NBA brought the hammer down on the Clippers on Wednesday as part of the Aspiration scandal, finding the organization guilty of violating salary-cap circumvention rules to appease Leonard.
The Clippers were fined $30 million and docked five first-round picks, while team owner Steve Ballmer was suspended from all league and team activities for one year. Meanwhile, Leonard was handed a $700,000 penalty.
However, before the league’s investigation reached its conclusion, ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr., Baxter Holmes, and Ramona Shelburne reported that the league had found “no evidence” that Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Leonard in an effort to circumvent the salary cap.
“NEWS with @DVNJr, @ramonashelburne and @ShamsCharania: The NBA has found no evidence showing LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard in order to circumvent the salary cap, sources tell ESPN,” Holmes’ X post read last month.
Now, following the league’s decision, a community note has even been added to Holmes’ initial tweet regarding the report on Leonard. As such, fans have been unapologetic in criticizing ESPN’s coverage.
NEWS with @DVNJr, @ramonashelburne and @ShamsCharania: The NBA has found no evidence showing LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard in order to circumvent the salary cap, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/zmuTzWdAPd
— Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) August 17, 2026
“This is a super impressive byline of people that all got horribly duped by the Criminal Clippers,” a comment read.
“This is an all-time rough sports journalism moment, YIKES,” an angry fan wrote.
This is an all-time rough sports journalism moment, YIKES https://t.co/vxP2eoJZOM
— Andrew Jerell Jones, Luke 1:37 (BlueSky too now) (@sluggahjells) September 2, 2026
“Credibility is shot,” a user added.
Credibility is shot https://t.co/1GgJLWfBxa
— Purple_Reign (@BgmCyb3r) September 2, 2026
“ESPN in Ballmer’s pocket. Ballmer also blatantly lied on the network when he said he did nothing wrong and was taken advantage of by a group of bad guys in Aspiration. ‘They conned me,'” a fan asserted.
“Just the latest example that Ramona Shelburne is a [expletive] joke and has been for years. Completely unserious person who should garner zero respect of her ‘reporting.’ God she [expletive],” another fan bashed Shelburne.
“The ESPN report was actually accurate by the letter – it said there wasn’t evidence Ballmer ‘funneled’ money to Kawhi via sponsors, and the investigative findings would center on introductions. But the implication of the story was the punishment prolly wouldn’t be severe,” Front Office Sports’ Ryan Glasspiegel chimed in.
The ESPN report was actually accurate by the letter – it said there wasn’t evidence Ballmer “funneled” money to Kawhi via sponsors and the investigative findings would center on introductions
But the implication of the story was the punishment prolly wouldn’t be severe ….. https://t.co/dSb1DJ0ufg
— Ryan Glasspiegel (@sportsrapport) September 2, 2026
The NBA began investigating in September 2025 whether a $28 million endorsement contract between Leonard and Aspiration violated league rules. Pablo Torre’s show, “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” was the primary journalistic force behind uncovering the saga.
The Clippers repeatedly insisted that they had done nothing wrong. However, the investigation ultimately proved otherwise, and the league did not take kindly to the organization’s actions.
Apart from the Clippers owner and Leonard, Clippers president of business operations Gillian Zucker has been suspended without pay for one year, while Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has been suspended without pay for six months.
However, with the league’s investigation now ended without voiding Leonard’s contract, the paused trade between the Clippers and the Toronto Raptors is expected to be finalized.
