Duke star Zion Williamson is suing to enforce his termination of an agreement he signed with a Florida marketing company, maintaining their deal was unlawful under North Carolina law, his attorneys told ESPN.
According to the suit filed in federal court in North Carolina on Thursday, Williamson signed a marketing deal with Gina Ford and Prime Sports on April 20, five days after he had declared his intention to enter the NBA draft.
That agreement included a clause that it could not be terminated for five years. Williamson’s family told Ford and Prime Sports on May 31 that it was ending the agreement. The agency responded by saying that if Williamson terminated the deal, they would sue for damages in excess of $100 million.
Jeffrey S. Klein, an attorney for Williamson, tells ESPN:
“Prime Sports Marketing’s actions towards Mr. Williamson blatantly violated the North Carolina statute specifically designed to protect student athletes. Mr. Williamson properly exercised his rights under the law to void his business dealings with Prime Sports Marketing. Prime Sports Marketing’s continued threats against Mr. Williamson made necessary the filing of this lawsuit.”
Jeffrey S. Klein, an attorney for Williamson, told ESPN in a statement: “Prime Sports Marketing’s actions towards Mr. Williamson blatantly violated the North Carolina statute specifically designed to protect student athletes…” https://t.co/fxWFFAhEwW
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 13, 2019
Williamson has since signed with CAA Sports for his contractual and marketing representation.
Probably a better fit.
This is the business of basketball.
Zion will have to get used to it now that he’s on the cusp of being a professional.
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