Steve Ballmer, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, is speaking out publicly following a bombshell report on Wednesday from prominent podcaster Pablo Torre, which claimed that the Clippers and Ballmer had circumvented the NBA’s salary cap.
Ballmer told ESPN that he wants the league to investigate any teams or ownership involved in these accusations, stating it should be taken seriously. “I’d want the league to investigate, take it seriously.”
Steve Ballmer revealed that he invested nearly $50 million in Aspiration, although he owns less than 3% of the company, which means he has no control over it. With an estimated net worth of $153.1 billion, a $50 million investment was relatively easy for him. Based on these figures, his investment for a 3% stake suggests that Aspiration is valued at approximately $1.5 to $1.6 billion.
“I had no control over this company. I owned less than 3% of the company,” said Ballmer, one of the richest men in America. “I had no board seat. I had no control. Heck, it was a fraudulent company. It’s possible nobody had any control.”
In November 2021, just three months after Kawhi Leonard’s $173 million contract extension with the Clippers went into effect, Aspiration requested that he introduce them to Leonard. He stated that he was unaware of the contract signed by both parties and denied having any involvement in efforts for the company to sign Leonard in any capacity.
“We even found the email that makes the first introduction. It was early November,” he said. “The introduction got made and then they were off to the races on, on their own. We weren’t involved.
He goes on to say that he eventually learned of the deal, but had no idea what it entailed. “I eventually learned that they had reached a deal. I have no idea what the deal was.”
Ballmer insisted the reports stemming from the podcast were simply not true.
“The allegations have not been true. But what’s most important to me is we’ve done the right thing in all those interactions.”
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