Mark Cuban Flaming Pablo Torre over Steve Ballmer-Kawhi Leonard Scandal Infuriates Fans: “Billionaires Sticking Together”

Mark Cuban has been defending Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer ever since the Kawhi Leonard scandal surfaced.

Mark Cuban Flaming Pablo Torre over Steve Ballmer-Kawhi Leonard Scandal Infuriates Fans: “Billionaires Sticking Together”

Mark Cuban backs Steve Ballmer amidst allegations (Image via FirstSportz)

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The NBA is struggling to come to terms with the scandal involving Steve Ballmer, his Los Angeles Clippers, and star forward Kawhi Leonard. After Pablo Torre exposed the controversial $28 million payment, Mark Cuban has come forward to denounce the investigation.

The Dallas Mavericks’ minority-owner initially claimed that Ballmer might have nothing to do with it, as the company that paid Leonard had scammed many investors, including the former Microsoft CEO.

The LA Clippers owner has followed a similar line of thought, clarifying while on SportsCenter that he or the franchise was not involved with the endorsement deal their 2-time champion signed with Aspiration.

Before Ballmer appeared on SportsCenter, Cuban was contacted by Pablo Torre, who then agreed to appear on his show so that he could give his opinion.

The episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out aired earlier, and many were confused about why Mark Cuban was relentlessly supporting his fellow NBA team owner.

The episode was also tagged with a headline that read, ‘I’m team Ballmer.’ Upon seeing this, Mark Cuban felt the show was intentionally painting him as the one siding with the culprit, and decided to respond with this post on X.

Pablo, come on. You only pushed your side in the promos. NOTHING you said made your point. You took lots of information provided by scammers, who negotiated with someone not connected with Ballmer, and took them at face value. Just to be clear. Still Team Ballmer.

Mark Cuban wrote

The 67-year-old still reiterated that Steve Ballmer had nothing to do with the endorsement deal and that it might have been the result of Kawhi Leonard‘s uncle, Dennis Robertson‘s demands.

Fans slam Mark Cuban for defending Steve Ballmer

After the episode featuring Mark Cuban aired, fans and many people associated with sports media wondered why he was defending the Clippers’ owner this much.

They felt that either he wants to defend the remaining owners from being exposed to similar scandals, or he has something to hide with the way he probably took care of some of his players.

Many believe that Steve Ballmer did not do himself any favors with the way he answered questions in the interview with SportsCenter, as it became clear he was trying to deflect the situation towards Aspiration, who are already booked for fraud.

Fans believe Cuban was probably trying to stay relevant at a time when NBA fans do not talk about him. Others feel he tried to save the league from further embarrassment. Fans took to social media to lambast the billionaire, examples of which are below.

At a time when NBA viewership has been a subject of concern, it might not be prudent to think that Mark Cuban might come forward to try and save the league’s face. He knows this scandal, if proven, can have a devastating impact on the league.

NBA hires top law firm to investigate Steve Ballmer-Kawhi Leonard scandal

No matter what Mark Cuban, Steve Ballmer, Kawhi Leonard, or their representatives say, these allegations have hit the NBA like a rock hurling down the side of a cliff.

Kawhi Leonard could face major penalties if found guilty
Kawhi Leonard could face major penalties if found guilty (Image via Bleacher Report/X)

Before it reaches the bottom, it has already caused enough damage to send the league’s officials into panic mode. They know how dangerous this can be, particularly in this day and age, where social media spreads such news further than it was 25 years ago.

The ramifications will be enormous unless the league does its part to conduct a fair investigation and ensure the guilty party or parties are brought to justice.

The New York Times’ Sam Amick, along with his fellow writers and sources, revealed that the league has entrusted the law firm, Wachtell, Lipton, Rose and Katz, to investigate the scandal.

This happens to be the same law firm that investigated and brought former Clippers’ owner, Donald Sterling, and former Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver‘s scandals to the forefront.

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