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Pelicans: A legal analysis of Zion Williamson’s lawsuit against Prime Sports

By Christopher Dodson

Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Lou Rocco/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images)ZION WILLIAMSON, ROBIN ROBERTS /

Legal Teams and Timeline of Events

Both sides have retained “formidable” legal teams. Williamson’s team is headed up by Jeffery Klein of Weil, Gotshal, and Manges. Klein is the head of Weil’s Employment Practice Group, and Weil is one of the most prestigious law firms in the country.

Zion Williamson signed a contract with Prime Sports on April 20, 2019. Zion sent a letter to end the deal May 31, 2019. Klein sent Prime Sports a letter on June 2, 2019, and the battle was on.

Prime Sports retained Drummond and Squillace, a New York firm. Their reply letter dated June 4, 2019 quotes Zion Williamson as saying he “does not with to litigate” this matter. Joann Squillace signed the letter refuting Klein’s arguments.

Squillace wrote that Williamson wants to avoid litigation because he knows he breached the contract with Prime Sports. Williamson’s actions thus far have already “damaged our clients reputation, character, and business beyond economic losses.”

In this June 4 letter, the $100,000,000 figure for damages is first introduced. Squillace also wrote in the letter that Zion had until June 10 to come back to the table. Klein filed the lawsuit documents June 13. The June 4 letter was sent to CAA NBA agent Austin Brown and CAA Marketing Agent Lisa Metelus.

I just had to ask, what would the lawyers from these firms bill per hour? A quote of “anywhere from $650-$1250 per hour” came back from the legal analyst I spoke with (putting off law school for a year twelve years ago was maybe not my most profitable decision).

Williamson was born in North Carolina, but spent his high school years in South Carolina. He will soon live in New Orleans, with only Duke University acting as a second connection to North Carolina. This contract between Williamson and Prime Sports LLC was signed only days after he announced for the draft.

It must be asked. How does a firm in Florida recruit a star like Zion in just a couple of days? NCAA corruption has been an FBI interest. Could this lawsuit expose any NCAA violations? Would the NCAA start an investigation into Duke basketball?

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