The NBA is disputing key details of ESPN’s reporting on the league’s ongoing investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers.
NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass released a statement Monday criticizing ESPN’s report, saying the league did not participate in the outlet’s reporting and that its conclusions are premature.
“ESPN’s article regarding the LA Clippers investigation — for which the NBA declined to cooperate — contains numerous and significant inaccuracies. The results in this matter will be made clear once the investigation is concluded.”
The statement comes after ESPN reported that league investigators had found no evidence Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to provide additional compensation to Kawhi Leonard in an effort to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap.
While ESPN reported that investigators had not uncovered evidence supporting the most serious allegations, the NBA pushed back, emphasizing that its investigation remains active and that the league has not yet reached or announced its final conclusions. [Diario AS](https://as.com/baloncesto/ballmer-y-los-clippers-salen-ilesos-del-escandalo-kawhi-f202608-n/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
The league did not specify which portions of ESPN’s report it believes are inaccurate, but Bass made it clear that the NBA intends to release the official findings once the investigation has been completed.
The investigation stems from allegations that the Clippers may have used outside sponsorship arrangements involving Leonard that could have violated league rules. No formal findings or penalties have been announced by the NBA.
As the investigation continues, the league’s latest statement signals that the final outcome has yet to be determined.
