The former CEO of Aspiration has denied claims that NBA star Kawhi Leonard signed a fake endorsement deal to help the Clippers avoid the salary cap. Andrei Cherny, who left Aspiration in 2022, said on X (formerly Twitter) that reports about the contract are “false.”
Leonard reportedly signed a four-year deal worth $28 million in 2021 to promote and endorse Aspiration but allegedly never fulfilled those duties. Cherny clarified that the contract had “extensive obligations” for Leonard.
“The contract included three pages detailing all the responsibilities Leonard had to perform,” Cherny wrote. “It also clearly stated that if Leonard did not meet these obligations, Aspiration could end the contract.”
The NBA is investigating after journalist Pablo Torre reported that a supposed Aspiration employee claimed Leonard’s payment was meant to bypass salary cap rules. Both the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer have strongly denied this claim.
Ballmer invested $50 million in Aspiration in 2021, and the Clippers announced a $300 million sponsorship deal with the company shortly after. In an ESPN interview, Ballmer said he and other investors had been “conned” by Aspiration.
Cherny confirmed in his X statement that he signed Leonard’s contract in 2022.
“I don’t remember any talks about the NBA salary cap when our executives were discussing the sponsorship,” said Cherny.
Cherny added, “I signed the contract shortly before I resigned. Before leaving, there were many internal talks about what Aspiration planned to do with Leonard in the 2022-23 season. I can’t say what happened after I left or why.”
Aspiration, a financial technology and sustainability company, filed for bankruptcy this year. In August, co-founder Joe Sanberg admitted guilt on two wire fraud charges. The U.S. Justice Department said Sanberg misused his role at Aspiration to defraud investors and lenders of over $248 million.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said it is up to the league’s investigators to determine if the Clippers did anything wrong.
FAQ
What did the ex-Aspiration executive say about Kawhi Leonard’s contract?
Cherny denied that there was any “no-show” deal for Leonard, stating that discussions about the NBA salary cap did not occur.
When did the Clippers sign Kawhi Leonard’s contract extension?
The Clippers signed a four-year contract extension with Leonard in August 2021.
What was Cherny’s role at Aspiration?
Cherny was an executive at Aspiration and signed the contract with Leonard shortly before resigning.
What happened to Aspiration and its co-founder Joe Sanberg?
Aspiration filed for bankruptcy this year, and co-founder Joe Sanberg pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, defrauding investors and lenders of over $248 million.