Federal Prosecutors Open Criminal Probe into Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard Salary Cap Scandal

Federal prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers' salary cap circumvention allegations involving Kawhi Leonard. This development follows the NBA's year-long investigation, which resulted in severe penalties for the Clippers, including the forfeiture of five first-round draft picks and a $30 million fine. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Brooklyn is reportedly handling the early-stage probe, examining whether team owner Steve Ballmer and executives used hidden sponsorship arrangements to provide Leonard with compensation outside league rules.