Ballmer's Secret I.O.U., Aspiration's "Web of Lies" and the Zenith of Fraud: Kawhi-Gate, Part XI

About this episode

Pablo Torre investigates the connections between Steve Ballmer, Kawhi Leonard's probe, and a fraud case involving Aspiration.

As Adam Silver calls for the NBA's Kawhi Leonard probe to wrap up and Aspiration's co-founder gets 14 years behind bars, Pablo investigates how Steve Ballmer covered his tracks on a side deal of his own — and with the SEC on the case. Former DOJ prosecutor Lou Manzo returns to make sense of the relationship between a billionaire and a fraudster, while David Samson is finally convinced that the richest owner in sports has lost credibility. (Additional reporting by Anita Bennett) • Take the PTFO audience survey • Subscribe to Pablo's newsletter • Subscribe to "Nothing Personal with David Samson" Previously on PTFO: • Part I: The Silent Superstar and the Rotten Apple Tree • Part II: An Argument with Mark Cuban • Part III: The Mystery Investor, the No-Show Payday and the "Smoking Gun" • Part IV: Steve Ballmer, the Other Cuban and the $118 Million Infusion • Part V: Steve Ballmer's "Inconceivable" Donation, the $20 Million Guarantee and a Head on a Spike • Part VI: An IRL Showdown with Mark Cuban • Part VII: The Briefcase, Ballmer's Social Network and Aspiration's House of Cards • Part VIII: Uncle Dennis, Ballmer's $50 Million Sprint and the Side Deal That Wouldn't Die • Part IX…

People in this episode

Host: Pablo Torre

Guest: Lou Manzo

Topics covered

• NBA
• Kawhi Leonard
• Steve Ballmer
• fraud investigation
• Aspiration
• sports ownership

Keywords

• Kawhi Leonard
• Steve Ballmer
• fraud
• Aspiration
• NBA investigation
• Lou Manzo
• David Samson

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Aspiration, SEC, Meadowlark Media, The Athletic

More episodes of Pablo Torre Finds Out

• UFC at the White House: How Dana White and Donald Trump Cashed In · June 12, 2026 · 46 min
• America Signed Up for the World Cup. FIFA Stuck You with the Tab. · June 11, 2026 · 57 min
• Linsanity Is Dead. Long Live Linsanity: Jeremy Lin on the Finals, the Garden and the Healing Power of These Knicks · June 10, 2026 · 48 min
• Do Not Mess with the Reporter Who Took Down Jeffrey Epstein · June 4, 2026 · 53 min
• Exclusive: Inside Zohran Mamdani's NYC Sports Equinox (feat. Adam Friedland) · June 2, 2026 · 28 min
• Share & Eat the Rich & Tell with Tim Miller and Stephanie Ruhle · May 29, 2026 · 40 min