The primary story on the hottest news topics of the NBA, basically every day now since it happened, has been the allegations against Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers' organization. Many fans are pacing from one direction to another, hoping Steve Ballmer and the franchise superstar are innocent of what Pablo Torre believes to be true.
The NBA has to investigate, which was to be expected, but the Clippers will have to do their part in putting together the best argument possible that Leonard and Ballmer are not guilty. This could be done in multiple ways, yet a crucial one has been scratched off the list.
Ramona Shelburne, a senior insider for ESPN, recently spoke publicly about the Clippers' naming rights for their arena that opened roughly a year ago. This piece of news could have helped Ballmer's case, but in the end, it makes the entire situation seem a bit more incomplete, further complicating the team's goal of their owner receiving the clear from Adam Silver.
Reporting on NBA Today: According to Clippers sources, Aspiration bid almost double the $550 million that Intuit successfully bid for the naming rights to the new building. The Clippers chose to go with the more well-established company & brand. pic.twitter.com/fqHvAM5UYu
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) September 8, 2025
The bidding war for the naming rights to what is now Intuit Dome adds suspicion to the allegations against LA
Intuit, a company that helps with finances through the latest forms of technology, won the naming rights. Hence, the location: Intuit Dome. Fans heard the news and were ultimately excited, as a home separate from the Los Angeles Lakers was officially going to be seen.
However, Ramona Shelburne reported that Aspiration, the tree company that has a patch on the Clippers' uniforms and is supposedly involved with Leonard and Ballmer, had a bid worth double the amount Intuit offered($550 million) at $1.1 billion. This is separate from the jersey deal they agreed to with LA, which will last 23 years and is worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Ballmer ended up declining the Aspirations bid and chose Intuit, even though the money was significantly less.
Moreover, Ballmer is extremely wise financially. He invested a substantial amount of money in the world's best sports attraction and has investments in other areas. Thus, questions will arise as to why he initially rejected Aspiration's offer, which was of significantly higher value, but later decided to invest in it.
There are clearly plenty of details that need to be released, and lots of information that is currently being kept under wraps. Still, the Clippers may have a difficult time proving Ballmer to be guilt-free following a pivotal report from Shelburne.