Investigation of LA Clippers Deepens with Joe Sanberg’s Guilty Plea

Los Angeles, CA — Joseph Sanberg, co-founder of Aspiration, pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges on Monday in Los Angeles. This plea is part of a broader investigation into potential salary cap circumvention involving the Los Angeles Clippers, owner Steve Ballmer, and star player Kawhi Leonard.

The NBA is looking into claims that the Clippers utilized an endorsement deal with Aspiration to bypass salary cap regulations. Sanberg’s guilty plea to two counts of fraud coincides with allegations that he falsified financial statements and secured $145 million in fraudulent loans from banks.

Sanberg, along with another board member Ibrahim AlHusseini, faces serious allegations. AlHusseini pleaded guilty to wire fraud earlier this year. “There is a lot of misinformation out there about Joe Sanberg,” stated attorney Marc Mukasey. “We will provide a full picture of who he is at the proper time.”

Aspiration, a fintech company that declared bankruptcy last spring, had significant financial ties with the Clippers. This includes a $300 million sponsorship deal and payments exceeding $50 million linked to a carbon offsetting contract.

In response to the allegations, the NBA has enlisted the well-known law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz for the investigation. Steve Ballmer has denied any wrongdoing regarding the club’s financial practices.

Sanberg is scheduled for sentencing on February 23, 2026. The ongoing investigation raises questions about the integrity of operations within the NBA, as commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the need for a thorough examination of the situation.