The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

The Big Suey: Happy Thanksgiling Pt. 2! (featuring Pablo Torre)

Release Date: November 27, 2025

Episode Overview

Broadcast from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, this Big Suey episode centers on a bombshell investigative report by Pablo Torre regarding alleged salary cap circumvention by the LA Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer, involving NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard. Beyond the scandal, the group unpacks implications across sports, dives into behind-the-scenes reporting, and explores sports media’s willingness to address league-shaking revelations. The tone is irreverent and sharp, balancing investigative depth with the show’s trademark silliness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pablo Torre’s Bombshell: The Clippers, Kawhi Leonard, and Cap Circumvention

[04:14 – 15:18]

• The Story:

  • Pablo Torre details his seven-month investigation revealing a $28 million “no-show” endorsement deal for Kawhi Leonard, funneled through a climate change start-up (Aspiration) largely funded by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer ($50 million invested).
  • The contract required absolutely no promotional work from Kawhi; CBS, NBA, and even Drake, DiCaprio, and Downey Jr. endorsed the brand, but none were paid as highly, and Kawhi did nothing in return for his payout.
  • This arrangement allegedly served as a way to skirt the NBA’s salary cap, funding Kawhi beyond league-sanctioned mechanisms.

• Pablo’s Breakdown:

  • “We have documentation. We have seven sources. We have a source voice modulated on tape kind of whispering some facts into your ear.” – Pablo Torre [07:01]
  • The account is enriched by references to a bankruptcy filing listing "KL2Aspire LLC" (Kawhi’s company) as a seven-figure creditor—the initial breadcrumb that led Torre down the investigative rabbit hole.
  • Pablo underscores the sheer scale and brazenness: “He was signed to a $28 million endorsement contract and did nothing. Nobody has proof of anything that he did. Zero things. No likes, no retweets, no posts, no tree plantings.” [07:37]

• Notable Details:

  • The company, Aspiration, claimed to plant more trees daily than there are in Central Park, but evidence suggests they planted virtually none.
  • Steve Ballmer has denied knowledge or wrongdoing, but documents and connections raise questions about plausible deniability.

2. NBA Precedent and Possible Repercussions

[11:56 – 15:24]

• Historical Parallel:

  • Discussion of the last major NBA “cap circumvention” case: The Minnesota Timberwolves/Joe Smith scenario from the 1990s, which led to severe penalties (five first-round picks forfeited, owner suspensions).

• Potential Punishments:

  • Pablo: “At the most extreme end: the nullification of contracts for the players whose salaries were circumvented.” [13:22]
  • Stugotz and Chris Cody highlight the likelihood of substantial owner-driven retribution, not just league discipline.

• Implications for Other Teams/Owners:

  • Could this expose a wider pattern? Pablo: “If you think about every owner's foremost incentive as self-interest, then the question becomes, what else have you guys been doing?” [22:59]
  • The story is causing anxiety among owners, especially small-market franchises.

3. Reactions and Legacy Media’s Role

[19:39 – 22:30]

• Media Silence & Potential Fallout:
  • Legacy partners like ESPN haven't (yet) picked up the story, raising doubts about how much traction the revelations will receive.
  • Pablo: “The NBA, they were not aware. This is not a story they had previously investigated and said, ah, there’s nothing here. This is catching them with a level of surprise…” [20:44]

4. Celebrities, Victims, and Villains

[21:10 – 22:30]

• Who Knew What?

  • Celebs (Drake, Downey Jr., DiCaprio) seem to have been duped, unlike Ballmer, whose business ties to Aspiration were close and strategic.

• Who’s to Blame?

  • Pablo: “Kawhi Leonard, to me, is not the villain… He’s maybe the most clear cut example of a straight up capitalist… Dude doesn’t want to work, he wants to get paid.” [08:38]

5. Is This an Outlier or Common Practice?

[36:00 – 41:09]

• Does This Happen ‘All the Time’?
  • Some (Chris Cody, Gary) suggest such deals are part of the hidden economy of pro sports, but Calais Campbell pushes back: “Look how sloppy this was. I don’t think that this happens all the time.” [36:15]
  • NFL analogues: The John Elway/Terrell Davis case, resulting in a third-round pick penalty and minor fine. [36:28]

6. Owner Motivations, Salary Cap Critiques & League Integrity

[39:26 – 40:54]

• Chris Cody rails against the entire concept of a salary cap:
  “The salary cap is a stupidity because these owners— all powerful owners—cannot control themselves… These are their playthings.” [40:36]
• The consensus: punishment will be dictated by “how mad all the other owners are going to be” [37:59].
• The panel reflects on how the deal’s exposure reframes Kawhi’s career and the Clippers’ sudden emergence as L.A. rivals.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pablo Torre

  • “He was signed to a $28 million endorsement contract and did nothing. Nobody has proof of anything that he did. Zero things. No likes, no retweets, no posts, no tree plantings.” [07:37]
  • “If you think about the room where they have to debate this stuff, the foremost voice when it comes to complaints… has been the Oklahoma City Thunder… That team happens to be the team that won the trade for Kawhi Leonard, that won the title using the guy that they got.” [23:10]
  • “Boardman gets paid, dude wants money. Dude doesn’t want to work, he wants to get paid.” [08:38]
  • “How is it that you don’t know would be the question [for Ballmer]. And that’s a different question for a celebrity than a businessman.” [22:12]

• Chris Cody

  • “This has the potential to be the biggest salary cap crime that we’ve seen.” [14:19]
  • “The other owners are going to read this this morning, and that’s going to dictate the penalty.“ [40:36]

• Calais Campbell

  • “If the punishment is not as punitive as maybe you’re making it sound, would that be a sign that other owners don’t want their business to come out as well?” [40:54]

• Mike Ryan

  • “The absurdity of all this, if they do one commercial with Kawhi Leonard…” [33:32]

• Fun banter:

  • Pablo pushes back on prop accusations about “7,000 documents” being reams of blank copy paper:
    “Absolutely not. How dare you.” [33:01]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:14 – 07:26]: Pablo unveils the findings of his investigation—the Kawhi/Clippers “side deal.”
• [07:26 – 10:32]: Evidence (or absence thereof) for Kawhi’s paid work; discussion on how easily they could have “covered their tracks.”
• [11:56 – 15:24]: NBA’s possible responses and punishments; the Joe Smith precedent.
• [19:39 – 22:30]: Whether legacy media will touch the story, and the implications for other teams.
• [26:37 – 28:04]: Were trees even planted? Is this actual criminal fraud beyond NBA rules?
• [36:00 – 41:09]: Is this a one-off or standard across sports? Owners’ and league motivations; the salary cap in context.
• [39:01 – 41:36]: How the outcome may forever alter perceptions of Kawhi, Ballmer, and the Clippers’ rise.

Tone, Flow, and Style

The episode mixes deep-dive reportage (Pablo and his seven-month investigation, the legal/ethical ramifications) with the show’s typical jokiness and rapid-fire banter (digressions about Doc Rivers impressions, prop jokes, and family holiday photo stories). The group manages both to marvel at the audacity of the scheme and hone in on the systemic forces at play in sports business.

For Further Information

• Pablo Torre’s full documentary podcast is out now.
• 3:30PM ET: Extended YouTube discussion with Pablo, Amin Elhassan, and David Samson.
• Stay tuned for updates as league/media reaction develops.

This summary covers the episode’s most consequential conversations and captures the wit and insight that make Le Batard & Stugotz’s show unique—perfect for listeners who want all the big headlines and color without missing a beat.