Defending the Clippers! NBA Commissioner Announces No Heavy Penalty for Leonard

2025-09-15

The NBA Board of Governors recently held its regular September meeting in New York. The focus of the discussion was undoubtedly Leonard's "yin-yang" contract. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver held a press conference after the meeting, addressing the matter for the first time: "To be honest, I've never heard of Aspiration before, nor did I know about Leonard's endorsement contract with them."

Silver went on to say that the NBA will not immediately penalize the Clippers, but will conduct a thorough investigation. "The burden of proof lies with the party making the accusation. In sports that are closely watched by the public, sometimes public opinion can be proven wrong. I will put myself in the shoes of Ballmer and Leonard and hope to receive fair treatment."

"What everyone calls irrefutable evidence is clearly circumstantial evidence. The NBA will allow investigators to fully review the evidence. If there is only the appearance of misconduct, I will not impose any punishment." Silver's words should put Clippers fans' minds at ease. Based on the current evidence alone, the NBA cannot impose heavy penalties on the Clippers.

The NBA is different now. Whether it's the league or the team owners, everyone has the same goal: making money. The NBA's Board of Governors is composed of the owners of all 30 teams. As long as these owners don't want to punish the Clippers, the NBA's official punishment will be lenient. Besides, other teams also have some outrageous contracts.

Ballmer's latest net worth has reached $152.5 billion, exceeding the estimated value of the entire NBA ($132.8 billion). Since buying the Clippers, Ballmer has long served as chairman of the NBA's audit committee. He is Adam Silver's most trusted team owner, perhaps the only one. Considering the NBA's image, the league will not impose a heavy penalty on the Clippers.

Ballmer's latest net worth has reached $152.5 billion, exceeding the estimated value of the entire NBA ($132.8 billion). Since buying the Clippers, Ballmer has long served as chairman of the NBA's audit committee. He is Adam Silver's most trusted team owner, perhaps the only one. Considering the NBA's image, the league will not impose a heavy penalty on the Clippers.

That year, the Timberwolves were penalized five first-round picks, and Joe Smith's contract was voided, making him a free agent. So what about the Clippers and Leonard? ESPN salary expert Bobby Marks revealed on his show, "I've spoken with some teams, and the Clippers won't face significant penalties." Marks speculated that the Clippers would only be penalized a few second-round picks or fined.

Let's review the incident: Clippers owner Ballmer invested $50 million in Aspiration, which signed Leonard to a four-year, $28 million endorsement contract, along with $20 million in stock, for a total of $48 million. The endorsement contract didn't require Leonard to do anything, but it did stipulate that he must play for the Clippers, otherwise the contract would be void.

New evidence has emerged: Aspiration owed Leonard $1.75 million in 2022. Clippers Vice Chairman Dennis Wang invested $1.99 million in the company, and nine days later, Leonard received the $1.75 million he was owed. The Clippers responded, claiming both Ballmer and Wang were defrauded by the company. The Clippers are also willing to provide the original email, proving that it was Aspiration that initially contacted Leonard. Finally, we welcome the discussion: What kind of fine do you think the NBA will issue?

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