Hoopgate Update: Avenatti Alleges Nike Payments; Gatto, Code and Dawkins Appeal
Attorneys representing lawyer Michael Avenatti filed a motion Wednesday to dismiss his indictment on allegedly extorting Nike, which includes allegations of misconduct by Nike officials in offering under-the-table payments to the families and handlers of future NBA players while in high school. The motion comes after Avenatti’s March arrest on federal charges of attempted extortion on Nike by threatening by revealing alleged improper recruitment payments in its pre-college amateur Elite Youth Basketball League.
The motion alleges Nike recruiting coordinator John Stovall approved payments of $35,000 or more for Zion Williamson and $20,000 for Romeo Langford to play in the league in ... Log in to view full article.