Judge rules Zion Williamson must address improper benefits allegations under oath

Florida 11th Circuit Court Judge David Miller ruled that Zion Williamson must answer questions under oath regarding improper benefits he allegedly received during his one season at Duke. The New Orleans Pelicans rookie had requested a motion to stay discovery but the request was denied.

Gina Ford and Prime Sports Marketing are suing Williamson for $100 million, along with suing Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and two of its employees, claiming that Williamson breached his five-year contract with Prime Sports thanks to interference from the CAA.

Ford's attorney tried to get Williamson to admit that his mom and stepfather had received benefits, including gifts and money, from people acting on behalf of Nike and Adidas to encourage him to wear company products, along with receiving benefits from individuals affiliated with Duke to entice Williamson to play for the Blue Devils. Jeffrey Klein, Williamson's attorney, has denied all claims and is expected to file an appeal with Florida's Third District Court of Appeal.

"That issue is a complete canard and a complete red herring," Klein, told Miller. "[W]e believe that as a matter of law the statute bars that contract. The issue with respect to amateur status, there's no issue with respect to his amateur status, and in fact, if they wanted to find out the issue with respect to amateur status, eligibility is a determination made by the NCAA and made by Duke. I don't think it's relevant here to what's transpiring because frankly those determinations have been made. ... It doesn't absolve their failure to comply with the North Carolina statute."

Williamson's attorneys have requested a federal judge in the case to void his agreement with Ford and Prime Sports, arguing that the partnership was invalid because Ford was not a registered agent in North Carolina. Additionally, the contract didn't include a warning to protect amateur athletes from dishonest agents, which is required by law.