Bizarre lawsuit shows Zion Williamson's troublesome family ties

This complicated story began when Ankr PBC, a cryptocurrency company, agreed to lend Williamson $2M in 2021. Ankr hoped to land Williamson as an endorser, though it does not appear that he ever actually worked for the company.

Williamson’s stepfather, Lee Anderson, negotiated the deal and got a $150,000 fee for his work. The loan went to Williamson’s mother, Sharonda Sampson Anderson, who was renovating her historic New Orleans home to add a fitness room and a movie theater.

The loan was allegedly due in August 2022, but Anderson and Williamson requested an extension, ultimately paying Ankr $500K in April 2023. Ankr sent demand letters this week claiming they were owed over $1.8M.

Somehow, the crypto company is tied to another summer controversy: Williamson’s struggles with weight and conditioning.

Why is a cryptocurrency company handling this kind of thing for Williamson? And why did they pay his stepfather $150K for the rights to give him a $2M loan?

Williamson’s family clearly has a large influence on him. Two years ago, his family was lobbying to get Williamson on another team. Anderson reportedly acts as “his personal coach, his representative in contract negotiations and his crisis management consultant.” Anderson even addressed Williamson’s alleged love triangle involving an adult performer.

Now Anderson has his stepson in financial trouble despite Williamson’s imminent $34M salary for 2023-24. If Williamson is truly going to become a superstar, he’s going to need advisors outside his immediate family.