NBA disputes ESPN report on Clippers investigation details
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 6:17 PM
Last updated Aug 17, 2026
The NBA is challenging an ESPN report regarding its investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers. The report stated investigators found no evidence of Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneling money to Kawhi Leonard through sponsors. The NBA labeled the article as containing numerous inaccuracies. The inquiry, which began nearly a year ago following allegations of a questionable endorsement deal involving Leonard, is ongoing. Investigators are also looking into whether the Clippers appropriately supervised employees and have expanded the scope to include Leonard's relationships with other business partners. The implications of the investigation could affect trade talks surrounding Leonard.
- •NBA rebuffs ESPN's report on Clippers investigation accuracy.
- •Investigation into Clippers started nearly a year ago over endorsement concerns.
- •Clippers continue to deny any wrongdoing regarding salary cap violations.
- •Discussions between Clippers and league lawyers described as 'spirited'.
- •Kawhi Leonard's potential trade remains on hold pending investigation results.
- 6:45 PMYahoo Sports — NBA: ESPN report on Clippers investigation ‘contains numerous and significant inaccuracies’
- 6:17 PMYahoo Sports — NBA unloads on ESPN over ‘numerous’ inaccuracies in Clippers bombshell
"ESPN filed a report on Monday with new details about the NBA’s ongoing investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers’ potential salary cap circumvention related to sponsorship deals awarded to star player Kawhi Leonard. No more than two hours after ESPN published its findings, the NBA issued a strongly worded statement refuting the article as containing…
"The NBA isn’t ready to let the Los Angeles Clippers off the hook just yet — and it made that abundantly clear after an ESPN report suggested the league’s investigation...
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 17, 2026, 6:45 PMNBA: ESPN report on Clippers investigation ‘contains numerous and significant inaccuracies’
ESPN filed a report on Monday with new details about the NBA’s ongoing investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers’ potential salary cap circumvention related to sponsorship deals awarded to star player Kawhi Leonard. No more than two hours after ESPN published its findings, the NBA issued a strongly worded statement refuting the article as containing…
- Yahoo SportsAug 17, 2026, 6:17 PMNBA unloads on ESPN over ‘numerous’ inaccuracies in Clippers bombshell
The NBA isn’t ready to let the Los Angeles Clippers off the hook just yet — and it made that abundantly clear after an ESPN report suggested the league’s investigation...
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