NBA finds no evidence of Ballmer paying Kawhi Leonard via sponsors
5 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 17, 2026, 5:10 PM
Last updated Aug 17, 2026
The NBA has determined there is no evidence linking LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer to payments made to Kawhi Leonard through team sponsors. Sources familiar with discussions stated that investigations into these claims have not yielded concrete findings. This conclusion comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the team's financial practices. The league’s examination appears to close the case for now, but further inquiries may still occur.
- •NBA confirms lack of evidence against Steve Ballmer regarding Kawhi Leonard payments.
- •Investigation findings result from discussions in recent days.
- •No connection established between team sponsors and Leonard's compensation.
- •Further inquiries may still arise from league oversight.
- 5:37 PMESPN — Sources: NBA lacks proof Ballmer paid via firms
- 4:59 PMYahoo Sports — NBA has found 'no evidence' to indicate Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to circumvent the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard extra money
- 4:48 PMYahoo Sports — NBA reportedly has no evidence Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled payments to Kawhi Leonard
"The NBA has found no evidence showing LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard, according to three people with knowledge of discussions between the two sides in recent days.
"NBA has found 'no evidence' to indicate Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to circumvent the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard extra money
"The NBA is still looking into other aspects connected to the Kawhi Leonard situation.
Sources
External links- ESPNAug 17, 2026, 5:37 PMSources: NBA lacks proof Ballmer paid via firms
The NBA has found no evidence showing LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard, according to three people with knowledge of discussions between the two sides in recent days.
- Yahoo SportsAug 17, 2026, 4:59 PMNBA has found 'no evidence' to indicate Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to circumvent the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard extra money
NBA has found 'no evidence' to indicate Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to circumvent the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard extra money
- Yahoo SportsAug 17, 2026, 4:48 PMNBA reportedly has no evidence Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled payments to Kawhi Leonard
The NBA is still looking into other aspects connected to the Kawhi Leonard situation.
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