NBA Confirms 2025 All-Star Game Will Proceed in Los Angeles despite Clippers’ Examination
STAMFORD, Conn. – the NBA will not relocate its 2025 All-Star Game from the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome arena despite an ongoing investigation into potential salary cap circumvention related to Kawhi Leonard’s contract, Commissioner Adam Silver stated monday.
The league launched the investigation last month following a report by journalist Pablo Torre detailing a $28 million endorsement deal between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC, a California-based sustainability services company that recently filed for bankruptcy. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested $50 million in Aspiration,and the company and the team announced a $300 million partnership in September 2021.
Potential penalties for violating salary cap rules include fines of up to $7.5 million, contract voiding, and forfeiture of draft picks.
Though, Silver emphasized the All-Star Game planning is proceeding independently. “There’s no contemplation of moving the All-Star Game,” Silver said, “and planning for the All-Star Game and the surrounding activities are operating fully independently of the ongoing investigation.”
Silver made the announcement while at NBC Sports headquarters discussing the network’s return to broadcasting NBA games this season. The February 15th All-Star Game is expected to feature a new format, pitting teams of U.S. versus international players, and will be televised by NBC.
The NBA previously announced in January 2024 that Intuit Dome would host the 2026 All-Star weekend, even before the arena’s opening. The venue, which debuted for the 2024-25 season, is also slated to host basketball events during the 2028 Olympics.
