In a scandal that could shake the NBA to its core, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly entangled in a massive $118 million investment in the eco-friendly finance company, Aspiration. This hefty sum was funneled between September 2021 and March 2023, coinciding suspiciously with NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard's endorsement contract!

During the eye-opening latest episode of *Pablo Torre Finds Out*, it was revealed that the Clippers’ CFO greenlit a staggering $21 million in payments in June 2022 to fund carbon projects for Aspiration. What’s more, this payment directly aligned with Leonard’s staggering no-show endorsement deal!

Just days before the $21 million transaction, documents surfaced showing a $3 million prepayment for carbon credits made by the Clippers on April 1, 2022, followed by an explosive $32.4 million payment just three days later. Interestingly, this was also around the exact time Leonard signed his $28 million KL2 Aspire contract.

However, the Clippers are adamant about their innocence. In a statement, they clarified their commitment to carbon neutrality, asserting, "Our development agreements required the purchase of carbon credits, but we went above and beyond. Our payments to Aspiration were structured completely separately from our investments, and we were misled when Aspiration failed to meet its obligations." Their aim? To set a pioneering example in the much-needed field of voluntary carbon markets.

In a twist of intrigue, Torre leaked a text message from Dennis Robertson—Leonard's uncle—sent to Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg. This message hinted at delays regarding Leonard's $20 million equity deal, raising eyebrows about potential miscommunications in high-stakes endorsements.

Amid the swirling allegations, Ballmer responded, insisting that his only role was to introduce Leonard to Aspiration’s team and even welcomed an investigation into the salary cap concerns. Meanwhile, former Aspiration CEO Andrei Cherny expressed his lack of awareness regarding discussions on salary cap implications when he signed the endorsement contract.

With allegations of financial maneuvering and potential deception hanging over this high-profile partnership, the question remains: Could this be the tip of an iceberg threatening to engulf sports endorsements as we know them?