Kawhi Leonard Makes First Public Appearance Since $28M Allegations

Kawhi Leonard has kept an unusually low profile since his name became tied to a $28 million endorsement controversy involving a tree-planting company with links to the Los Angeles Clippers’ front office. His silence broke this week, but not on a basketball court.

The Los Angeles Clippers star was spotted at the US Open, dressed down in a cap, hoodie, and earphones, watching the tennis quietly from the stands. For a player whose every move now draws heightened scrutiny, this low-key appearance drew plenty of attention online, and for good reason.

“A fun guy watching tennis. @kawhileonard | @NBA” the US Open’s official account captioned the clip, which quickly made the rounds on social media. Fans speculated whether it was a sign of normalcy or simply a carefully timed public moment as investigations continue. Leonard has not offered any interviews and kept his distance from cameras, maintaining the same guarded public image that has defined his career. For many, it raised more questions than answers: why now, and what does this mean for the growing storm around his name?

A fun guy watching tennis. @kawhileonard | @NBA pic.twitter.com/K8k8qivNv7

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 6, 2025

This comes just days after a report from journalist Pablo Torre alleged that Kawhi Leonard was indirectly tied to a $28 million sponsorship arrangement between the Clippers and Aspiration, a company reportedly backed by team owner Steve Ballmer. The deal has raised questions about potential salary cap circumvention and whether external endorsements were used to retain Leonard beyond the league’s permissible channels.

This is a developing story.

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