The "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast just scored a major victory, winning a Pulitzer Prize in audio reporting on Monday for its explosive investigation into the finances of the Los Angeles Clippers and superstar Kawhi Leonard. This honor caps an incredible rise for the show, which has quickly become a must-listen since its debut in 2023.
With three episodes each week, Torre's podcast has tackled some of the biggest stories in sports and beyond—from Jeffrey Epstein's ties to Harvard to Madison Square Garden's controversial use of facial recognition at games, and even alleged collusion in the NFL. But it was the deep dive into the Clippers that caught the Pulitzer judges' attention, who praised the project as "pioneering and entertaining live podcast journalism."
At the heart of the report was a stunning allegation: that the Clippers violated NBA salary cap rules through a $28 million endorsement deal between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC, a now-bankrupt sustainability company based in California. The story, which broke last September, sparked an ongoing NBA investigation led by an outside firm.
Leonard has denied any wrongdoing, stating he never received all the money owed from the company. The Clippers have also strongly pushed back, denying any rules were broken and welcoming the league's probe. But the connections run deep: Clippers owner Steve Ballmer reportedly made a $50 million investment in Aspiration, and the team announced a $300 million partnership with the company in September 2021—just a month after Leonard signed a four-year, $176 million extension.
The partnership ended after two years, with the Clippers claiming the contract was in default. Meanwhile, Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg agreed to plead guilty in August to federal wire fraud charges, with prosecutors alleging he defrauded investors and lenders out of $248 million. "Aspiration's financial statements were inaccurate," prosecutors said, "reflecting much higher revenue than the company actually received."
For Torre and his team, the Pulitzer is a testament to the power of fearless reporting. "We are honored to have been named the winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting!" the podcast's official X account posted. It's a win not just for the show, but for sports journalism that holds the biggest names in the game accountable.