Zion Williamson Gets Sued for $100 Million Just Before NBA Draft
One day before he is expected to be the No. 1 pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft, Duke star Zion Williamson has been hit with a $100 million lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed by the agency that used to represent him, Prime Sports Marketing LLC, and company president Gina Ford, for “breach of contract,” The Associated Press reported.
The agency that now represents Williamson, Creative Artists Agency LLC, and two CAA employees are also named in the suit, filed Wednesday in a Florida court.
Marketing firm files lawsuit against basketball star Zion Williamson, CAA. https://t.co/O6NyubGBSM
— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) June 20, 2019
Among the claims, Prime Sports alleges that CAA interfered with a deal that it had with Williamson.
The Duke star had signed with Prime Sports in April, but then in May decided to go with CAA.
Williamson filed a lawsuit in Greensboro, North Carolina, on June 13 looking to terminate the five-year contract he had with Prime Sports.
He claims Prime Sports violated the state’s sports agent law because the contract did not contain notice that he would lose his college eligibility upon signing, according to the AP. The suit also alleges that the contract did not include a disclaimer allowing him 14 days to cancel, as is required.
Thus, the suit says, Williamson should be allowed to void his contract.
“The Prime Sports lawsuit states it was to receive 15 percent of compensation from Williamson’s marketing deals,” the AP report said. “CAA eventually ‘induced’ Williamson to back out, telling his family CAA was ‘better suited’ and could secure more compensation on deals Prime Sports had pursued, according to the lawsuit.”
Ford’s attorneys, in a statement to the AP, said she “has worked tremendously hard to build Prime Sports Marketing into a competitive marketing and branding consulting firm while raising a family. She’s deeply saddened and disappointed that what was once a promising business with Mr. Williamson has now resorted to legal action.”
Williamson’s lawyer, Jeffrey S. Klein, could not be reached for comment by the AP.
My take on @Zionwilliamson’s lawsuit against his initial marketing agent: https://t.co/GzO0vqO2X9
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) June 14, 2019
This lawsuit comes just as Williamson is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft on Thursday by the New Orleans Pelicans.
The 18-year old phenom is expected to make about $8.1 million in his first year in the NBA, Forbes reported.
But Williamson stands to make millions more in endorsements. He hasn’t signed a shoe deal yet, but when he does, he could be looking at a $100 million deal, some experts say.
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