BSJ Exclusive: Kawhi Leonard endorsement deal that triggered NBA investigation was actually worth $48 million
The $28 million deal was to be paid in quarterly installments over four years, but it was not the only compensation Leonard received. According to a high-level source, Leonard also cut a side deal with Aspiration to receive an additional $20 million in company stock. The stock was to be paid out from [co-founder Joe and $50M FOB] Sanberg’s [who just pled guilty to wire fraud in federal court] personal holdings in the company over four years.
That brought the total of promised compensation to Leonard to $48 million.
Wait, there's more! This wasn't Steve Ballmer's first rodeo with the salary cap. In 2015, a year after taking ownership,
Ballmer and the Clippers...were fined $250,000 in 2015 for offering DeAndre Jordan unauthorized endorsement opportunities.
