Just one week until he’s slated to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Zion Williamson is facing a legal hurdle.
The former Duke star signed a marketing deal with Gina Ford and Prime Sports back in April, just five days after the forward declared his intent to enter the NBA Draft.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the deal included a clause that it could not be terminated for five years. Williamson and his camp, attorney Jeffrey S. Klein included, are now suing under the guise that said agreement violated North Carolina law.
“According to the suit, the agreement was unlawful under North Carolina’s Uniform Athlete Agents Act because Prime Sports is not certified by the National Basketball Players Association or a registered athlete agent in North Carolina or Florida,” the report read.
Prime Sports responded to Williamson ending the relationship late in May by indicating that it would sue, seeking damages in excess of $100 million.
Mr. Klein himself has since pushed back.
Guaranteed to be the No. 1 pick of the New Orleans Pelicans in next week’s draft, Williamson just recently signed with CAA to represent him in all things contractual and marketing moving forward.
Obviously, his past relationship with Prime Sports could play a role in what happens moving forward.
Williamson and his camp seemingly have the upper hand in the court. Legally, a player within the Association must be represented by an NBPA branded agent. Prime Sports is not that. CAA is.
The North Carolina legislation can be read here. It does seem to back up Williamson big time.