NBA insider lists out the possible penalties Kawhi Leonard and Los Angeles Clippers could face if found guilty in $28 million no-show saga

Global Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Sep 17, 2025, 19:30 IST

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The NBA is investigating Kawhi Leonard's $28 million no-show endorsement deal with Aspiration, a now-fraudulent company. Allegations of Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer's involvement have surfaced. An NBA insider has outlined potential penalties, including fines up to $7.5 million for the Clippers, $350,000 for Leonard, and even contract voiding, potentially jeopardizing his career.

NBA insider lists out the possible penalties Kawhi Leonard and Los Angeles Clippers could face if found guilty in $28 million no-show saga

Kawhi Leonard, Image via Getty Images

With every passing day, the Kawhi Leonard $28 million no-show endorsement deal is getting messier. According to the latest report by media outlet The New York Times, the Los Angeles Clippers’ owner Steve Ballmer’s alleged involvement is making headlines across the globe. With investigation still going on into Leonard’s no-show saga, The Athletic’s NBA insider has listed out the penalties Kawhi Leonard and Clippers could be subjected to, if found guilty. NBA insider shares a list of sanctions the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard could face if found guilty in $28 million scandal Kawhi Leonard has landed himself under the scanner after investigative journalist Pablo Torre made a bombshell revelation about him during his podcast. According to Torre, Kawhi Leonard was paid around $28 million for a no-show endorsement by a now fraudulent company, Aspiration. The Leonard’s no-show saga is still under investigation by the NBA.

Pablo Torre on Kawhi Leonard, Clippers' Secret

Amidst all this, The Athletic’s prominent NBA insider John Hollinger has listed out the possible sanctions Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers could be subjected to, if they are found guilty in the $28 million case. The sanction list has been prepared in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), that sets NBA rules and regulations. The penalties are listed as follows,

Fine the Clippers up to $7.5 million
Fine Leonard up to $350,000
Forfeit Clippers draft picks
Suspend Ballmer or other Clipper personnel up to a year and fine them up to $1 million each
Void Leonard’s contract and prohibit him from re-signing with the Clippers
Require Leonard to return the money he received from Aspiration

According to the list of penalties mentioned by NBA insider, the worst could be Kawhi Leonard’s exit from the Clippers.

Despite being a great athlete, voiding his contract could even lead to wiping out his NBA career. Leonard could be charged around $350,000, Steve Ballmer upto $1 million and the Los Angeles Clippers $7.5 million if they are found guilty in the $28 million no-show scandal. With the 2025 NBA season, which is gradually moving towards training camps, Kawhi Leonard’s $28 million no-show scam has dominated every season update. The Clippers’ owner Steve Ballmer’s involvement in the scandal has raised eyebrows in NBA world, whereas he has rejected every allegation. Also Read: "This investigation will take time"- Adam Silver discusses NBA’s meticulous approach to Kawhi Leonard’s $28 million no-show scandal

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