Steve Ballmer is Sued by Multiple Aspiration Executives

The situation between Kawhi Leonard, Steve Ballmer, and the company Aspiration (now Catona) keeps getting weirder. 

It was revealed this summer by Pablo Torre on his show that something fishy may have gone on between Kawhi Leonard and Aspiration, and that it may have been coordinated by Steve Ballmer and other Clippers owners. 

Torre revealed that Kawhi was receiving millions from Aspiration as part of an endorsement deal where he had to do literally nothing. This raised red flags as to how Kawhi was able to get such a deal and why. After the investigation, Torre found out some troubling information. 

Steve Ballmer and another Clippers minority owner had been “investing” large amounts into Aspiration, including payments with timing that implied the money was going directly to pay for Kawhi’s endorsement.

The NBA is investigating these allegations and hasn’t made any announcements as to its findings. 

That doesn’t mean Steve Ballmer is off the hook. A new report has emerged that eleven different Aspiration investors are now suing Ballmer. 

"Ballmer was complicit in and aided and abetted Sanberg’s fraud for his own self-serving purpose. Ballmer publicly endorsed Catona and infused over $50 million into the company. Absent Ballmer’s support, Catona could not have sustained the frauds set forth herein."

Regardless of what the NBA decides, this lawsuit will also put the magnifying glass over Ballmer and Kawhi’s deal with Aspiration. If things look as bad as they seem, it could spell trouble for the Los Angeles Clippers. What will that look like as far as punishment from the law or from the league? Time will tell.