BREAKING: Former Aspiration CEO Andrei Cherny has emphatically denied allegations that NBA star Kawhi Leonard was involved in a no-show contract with the company, which is currently under scrutiny for potentially violating salary cap regulations. Cherny released a statement on social media platform X just moments ago, asserting that the claims are “false.”
In his statement, Cherny detailed, “The contract contained three pages of extensive obligations that Leonard had to perform,” emphasizing that Aspiration had the authority to terminate the agreement if those obligations were not met. This statement comes in light of a recent report from the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast, alleging that Aspiration had signed a four-year, $28 million endorsement deal with Leonard in 2022.
The controversy intensified when an unnamed former employee claimed the payment to Leonard was intended to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap rules. This allegation follows a series of significant financial maneuvers by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, including a personal investment of $50 million into Aspiration in September 2021, shortly before the Clippers announced a $300 million partnership with the company two weeks later.
Adding to the complexity, reports surfaced that Clippers limited partner Dennis J. Wong invested $1.99 million in Aspiration in 2022, just nine days before the company made a $1.75 million payment to Leonard. Furthermore, The Athletic reported that Ballmer invested an additional $10 million into Aspiration in 2023.
As the NBA investigates whether Ballmer or the Clippers engaged in any violations, both the team and Ballmer have denied any wrongdoing. Ballmer stated he had no knowledge of the endorsement contract, asserting that the decision was made without his direct involvement.
Cherny, who resigned from Aspiration in 2022, recalled in his statement, “In the months of discussion among our executives before signing the sponsorship, I don’t remember conversations about the NBA salary cap.” He acknowledged signing the contract shortly before his departure but noted that discussions regarding Leonard’s involvement were ongoing.
This unfolding situation raises serious questions about the integrity of financial dealings within the NBA, and the implications could be far-reaching. Aspiration, which filed for bankruptcy in 2025, is already facing scrutiny as its co-founder, Joe Sanberg, recently pled guilty to charges of wire fraud, defrauding investors of over $248 million.
As this story develops, it remains to be seen how the NBA will respond to these allegations and what further revelations may surface. Fans and analysts alike are closely monitoring the situation, with potential consequences that could ripple through the league and its players.
Stay tuned for more updates as this urgent story unfolds.
