The NBA’s investigation into the Clippers and Aspiration has turned up another eyebrow-raising detail: a marketing concept that would have cast Kawhi Leonard as a Marvel-style superhero.
According to NBA reporter Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, documents tied to the league’s probe included a proposed campaign built around Leonard as the face of a superhero-themed advertising push connected to Aspiration’s partnership with the Clippers. Vorkunov posted images of the concept Tuesday on Bluesky, showing artwork that put Leonard at the center of the idea.
It’s the latest twist in a story that has already had real basketball fallout. Last week, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Leonard’s blockbuster trade back to the Toronto Raptors had been put on hold while the league continues its review of the Clippers’ relationship with Aspiration.
The investigation traces back to reporting from journalist Pablo Torre on Pablo Torre Finds Out. Torre cited internal documents alleging that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested $50 million into Aspiration through his personal LLC in September 2021. That same month, the Clippers announced a reported $300 million sponsorship agreement with Aspiration, which became the first founding partner of the Intuit Dome.
Torre’s reporting also said other documents showed a $28 million endorsement agreement for Leonard, a deal now being examined as part of the NBA’s probe. The reporting has led to allegations that the sponsorship arrangement may have been used to get around the NBA’s salary cap.
After Charania reported the Raptors-Clippers trade had been delayed, the Clippers issued a statement saying they are cooperating with the league’s review and believe the process will clear them.
“We continue to cooperate fully with the NBA's review and remain confident the facts will demonstrate that our organization has acted appropriately throughout this process.”
The team also noted that the league has not drawn any conclusions.
“The NBA's review remains ongoing, and we will refrain from further comment until that process is complete.”
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