Former National Basketball Players Association Executive Director Billy Hunter announced today he has sued the agency and current president Derek Fisher for defamation and breach of contract.
Hunter was officially terminated “for cause” from his post earlier this year amid allegations of questionable hiring practices, and misuse of union funds for travel.
Filed in California Superior Court in Oakland, the suit further alleges Fisher and his publicist, Jamie Wior, conspired to negotiate a secret deal to end the 2011 lockout and their actions amounted to a breach of Hunter’s employment with the NBPA.
"Once the lockout ended with an agreement in line with the owners' demands, Fisher and Wior waged a campaign to terminate his employment without cause and in violation of his contract," the lawsuit alleges, according to a press release from Hunter's attorneys, the firm Sidley Austin in San Francisco.
According to CBSSports.com, Hunter is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. At the time of his dismissal, he was owed more than $10 million in salary through 2015. Speculation is he is at least seeking the money owed on his contract.
The suit further asserts that Fisher undermined Hunter’s authority as the union’s primary bargaining agent by secretly negotiating with “certain owners” and conspiring with Wior to oust him as executive director and “vest control of the union.”
Lastly, the suit cites Fisher’s attempts to hire the D.C. law firm of Patton Boggs to conduct a business review of the union, a move that was rejected by an 8-0 vote in executive committee.
"It's unfortunate that I must take this action against an organization where I had the privilege of working with many dedicated associates over 17 years," Hunter said in a statement. "I'm proud of our record of achievement on behalf of players during my tenure and will continue to stand up for their interests. But I cannot let stand attacks on my character or accept what has been done."
Fisher, who played this season with Oklahoma City, was not immediately available for comment.
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