Pablo Torre’s podcast wins Pulitzer Prize for Clippers reporting, capping a notable rise

NEW YORK (AP) — The podcast “Pablo Torre Finds Out” won a Pulitzer Prize for audio reporting Monday for its deep dive into the finances of the Los Angeles Clippers and star Kawhi Leonard, capping a remarkable rise for the influential show.

Torre’s show — which has three episodes each week — has reported several major stories since its debut in 2023. Topics include Jeffrey Epstein and his ties to Harvard, Madison Square Garden’s use of facial recognition software during games and team collusion in the NFL.

Announcement

“We are honored to have been named the winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Audio Reporting!” the official X account of the podcast has been published.

Last September, a report from Torre claimed that the Clippers had violated NBA salary cap rules involving a $28 million endorsement deal between Leonard and the now-bankrupt California-based sustainability services company called Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC. The report has led to an ongoing NBA investigation.

The Pulitzer judges called the project a “pioneering and entertaining form of live podcast journalism.”

Leonard denied any wrongdoing, saying he did not receive all the money he was owed from the company.

Announcement

The Clippers have strongly denied that any rules were broken and said they welcome the league’s investigation, which is being handled by an outside firm.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested $50 million in Aspiration, and the company and team announced a $300 million partnership in September 2021. This came about a month after Leonard signed a four-year, $176 million extension with the Clippers.

The team ended its relationship with Aspiration after two years, stating that the contract was in default. Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg agreed to plead guilty in August after facing federal wire fraud charges. Prosecutors said he defrauded investors and lenders of $248 million, adding that “Aspiration’s financial statements were inaccurate and reflected much higher revenue than the company actually received.”

Torre’s podcast is produced by Meadowlark Media and licensed by The Athletic, owned by The New York Times Company. The 40-year-old Torre has also worked for Sports Illustrated and ESPN.

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