The NBA is responding to an ESPN report about its investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention involving Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and Kawhi Leonard. ESPN reported that, after an 11-month review, the league did not show proof that Ballmer funneled money to Leonard through team sponsorships to bypass the cap.
Multiple outlets report that the NBA challenges aspects of the ESPN story. CBS Sports and others say the league disputes the report’s accuracy, characterizing it as containing “numerous and significant inaccuracies,” while emphasizing that it has not reached the conclusions ESPN described. The Guardian also notes that Ballmer denies the allegations and that the Leonard trade has been affected while the investigation proceeds.
At the same time, Yahoo Sports and NBC Sports sources are cited for the claim that the NBA found “no evidence” of such payments, and that settlement discussions between the league and the Clippers are underway. Across outlets, the central dispute remains whether the league’s review supports ESPN’s characterization of the findings versus the NBA’s account of inaccuracies and the status of the investigation.
