Fil-Am podcaster Pablo Torre, team win 2026 Pulitzer Prize in audio reporting

The podcast team of Filipino American sportswriter Pablo Torre has earned the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in audio reporting for its expose on the alleged moves of the Los Angeles Clippers to get around the salary cap by channeling payments to NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard through a now-bankrupt company.

In its announcement of winners, the Pulitzer Prizes organization described the work of the Pablo Torres Finds Out podcast staff as a "distinguished example of audio journalism" that serves the public interest, "characterized by revelatory reporting and illuminating storytelling."

"For a pioneering and entertaining form of live podcast journalism that investigated how the Los Angeles Clippers seemingly evaded the NBA's salary cap rules by funneling money to a star player through an environmental startup," the award giving body wrote.

A monetary reward of $15,000 will also be given to the podcast as part of the Pulitzer Prize.

The Athletic, the sports division of the New York Times, lauded the achievement of Torre and his team. The Pablo Torres Finds Out podcast is licensed by The Athletic.

The podcast team took to social media to express elation over the award.

"We are honored to have been named the winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting!" Pablo Torre Finds Out posted on X (formerly Twitter).

We are honored to have been named the winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting! pic.twitter.com/dFP6a9Zl0d

— Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) May 4, 2026

The team's winning work, as cited by the Pulitzer Prizes, is comprised of four episodes that were broadcast in September 2025.

Torre, a former ESPN contributor and a Harvard graduate, reported extensively on how the Los Angeles Clippers allegedly fed $28 million to Leonard in the form of a "no-show" endorsement deal with sustainability business Aspiration, which was said to be partially funded by the NBA team's owner, multi-billionaire Steve Ballmer.

The Clippers organization has denied Torre's report, asserting that Ballmer nor the team never circumvented the salary cap nor engaged in any misconduct related to Aspiration.

The NBA is currently investigating the issue. — VDV, GMA News