Zion Williamson is being asked to admit that his parents received illegal benefits to influence him to attend Nike-sponsored Duke University or an adidas-backed school.
Gaming law and sports betting attorney Daniel Wallach has shared new court documents highlighting the allegations made by Williamson’s former agent, Gina Ford of Prime Sports Marketing. The documents state that his mother, Sharonda Sampson, and stepfather, Lee Anderson, “demanded and received gifts, money and/or other benefits” on his behalf.
Subsequently, Williamson is being asked to answer — under oath — whether or not he received “money, benefits, favors or other things of value” to attend Duke and use Nike or adidas products.
A highly touted recruit, Williamson played one year of NCAA basketball at Duke University. Following a standout freshman season — albeit plagued with injury — he went on to become the number one overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2019 NBA Draft.
In July of 2019, the now 19-year-old athlete signed a record-breaking $75 million deal with Nike and Jordan Brand, serving as the biggest sneaker deal ever for a rookie.
NEW: Zion Williamson’s former marketing agent has served requests for admission in their lawsuit asking him to admit that he received “money, benefits, favors or other things of value” to attend Duke University and to wear and/or use Nike and Adidas.
Wow. That escalated quickly. pic.twitter.com/59gWX5bNKX
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) May 10, 2020
5. Admit that you knew that Sharonda Sampson demanded and received gifts and economic benefits from persons acting on behalf of Duke University (directly and/or indirectly) to influence you to attend Duke University to play basketball.
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) May 10, 2020
6. Admit that you knew that Lee Anderson demanded and received gifts, money and/or other benefits from persons acting on behalf of Duke University (directly and/or indirectly) to influence you to attend Duke University to play basketball.
Lee Anderson = Zion’s stepfather
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) May 10, 2020
7. Admit that you knew that Sharonda Sampson demanded and received gifts, money and/or other benefits from persons on behalf of Duke University (directly and/or indirectly) to influence you to attend Duke University to play basketball.
Sharonda Sampson = Zion’s mother
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) May 10, 2020
8. Admit that you knew that Lee Anderson demanded and received gifts, money and other 3 benefits from persons acting on behalf of Nike (directly and/or indirectly) to influence you to attend Duke University to play basketball.
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) May 10, 2020
9. Admit that you knew that Sharonda Sampson demanded and received gifts, money and/or other benefits from persons on behalf of Nike (directly and/or indirectly) to influence you to attend Duke University to play basketball.
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) May 10, 2020
10. Admit that before you became a student at Duke University, you knew that Lee Anderson demanded and received gifts, money and/or other benefits from persons acting on behalf of Adidas (directly and/or indirectly) to influence you to wear Adidas shoes.
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) May 10, 2020
11. Admit that before you became a student at Duke University, you knew that Sharonda Sampson demanded and received gifts, money, contract(s), and/or economic benefits from persons on behalf of Adidas (directly and/or indirectly) to influence you to wear Adidas shoes.
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) May 10, 2020
12. Admit that before you became a student at Duke University, you knew that Lee Anderson demanded and received gifts, money and/or other benefits from persons acting on behalf of Adidas (directly and/or indirectly) to influence you to attend a college that endorsed Adidas shoes.
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) May 10, 2020
13. Admit that before you became a student at Duke University, you knew that Sharonda Sampson demanded and received gifts and/or other benefits from persons on behalf of Adidas (directly and/or indirectly) to influence you to attend a college Th at endorsed Adidas shoes.
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) May 10, 2020
14. Admit that before you became a student at Duke, you, or person(s) acting on your behalf (including but not limited to Sharonda Sampson and Lee Anderson) received gifts, money and/or other benefits from persons other that NCAA certified agents between Jan. 2014 & Apt. 2019.
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) May 10, 2020
15. Admit that before you became a student at Duke, you, or person(s) acting on 4 your behalf (including but not limited to Sharonda Sampson and Lee Anderson) accepted benefits from a NCAA-certified agent that are not expressly permitted by NCAA legislation between 1/14 and 4/19
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) May 10, 2020
