Michael Beasley Sues Former Agent Joel Bell For Allegedly Violating NCAA And Federal Violations

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley is suing his former agent, Joel Bell
in the civil suit which is a counter to a suit filed by Bell in January.

Bell’s suit claims Beasley wrongfully terminated his representation agreement with Bell Sports Inc. just prior to signing an endorsement deal with Adidas and therefore was in breach of contract.

Now that you’re all caught up on the history, check out the details of the suit filed September 27th in Montgomery County Circuit Court.

Beasley asserts in his suit that Bell Sports Incorporated President Joel Bell bankrolled Curtis Malone’s nationally recognized DC Assault summer basketball program and that in return Malone felt obliged to steer Beasley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft, to Bell for professional representation. Beasley’s suit contends that, along the way, Bell and Malone violated NCAA rules and federal laws governing agent conduct.

The counter suit describes a situation that is believed to be common practice in the world of AAU basketball.  Bell’s “runner,”  a term used in basketball circles for guys who act as go-between for agents and players, made payments to Beasley’s mother with the intent to lock Beasley into a player- agent agreement.

Per Hoops Hype,  Bell currently reps at least 6 NBA players; John Salmons, Steve Blake, Dante Cunningham, James Jones, Solomon Jones and Jamario Moon.

Beasley claims that Bell is a “dishonest agent” and has caused Beasley “economic loss and public embarrassment.”

This will be an interesting suit to follow especially with the NCAA student athlete system under constant examination.