Pablo Torre Shows Us How Big His **** Has Gotten | Hour 1

Dan Le Batard and Pablo Torre delve into the complex world of sports journalism, focusing on the NBA's investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer. The discussion centers on the controversial ESPN story that preceded the release of the Wachtell report, examining the motivations behind the leaks, the accuracy of the reporting, and the broader implications for the league and its owners.

The ESPN Story and the Wachtell Report

Dan opens by questioning the timing and nature of the ESPN story, suggesting that it may have been strategically released to influence public perception. Pablo clarifies that the ESPN story, which claimed the NBA found no evidence of Steve Ballmer funneling money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard, was almost entirely fed to ESPN by the Clippers themselves. He asserts that the NBA, the Clippers' PR statement, and his own reporting all indicate this. Pablo emphasizes that the Wachtell report, a 35-36 page document detailing the NBA's findings, would likely not have been released if the ESPN story hadn't come out first. He argues that the ESPN story contained inaccuracies, particularly in its first paragraph, which stated that no evidence was found regarding Ballmer funneling money. Pablo points out that there were four companies involved in these transactions, and while the definition of "funneling" can be debated, the report's framing was misleading.