Categories: The GM's Suite

Independent investigation advises NBPA to break ties with it’s Director, Billy Hunter

During the NBA lockout, there were whispers that Billy Hunter, the Director of the National Basketball Players Association, wasn’t really moving in the best interest of the players. At the end of the 2012 regular season, NBPA President, Derek Fisher requested an audit of the finances but was shot down by Hunter. Well it seems there was a good reason why Hunter didn’t want the finances examined and it’s not good news for him.

It’s alleged that Hunter and union general counsel Gary Hall, never received player representative approval for a five-year, $15 million contract extension for Hunter in 2010 as is the directive per the union’s by-laws.

According to Yahoo, Hunter’s contract extension began on July 1, 2011, the first day the NBA’s lockout of the players began. While the NBA’s players lost their salary Hunter  received a $700,000 raise which earned him $3,000,000 per year.

In an independent investigation by the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, the findings were pretty damning for Hunter.

“Based on the findings of this report, the NBPA should consider whether Mr. Hunter should remain as the Union’s Executive Director and whether new and more effective controls should be enacted to govern the NBPA, its Foundation and its Executive Director, whoever that may be,” the report concluded.

In addition to question regarding Hunter’s contract extension, there were also concerns about his business practices involving his friends and family.

  • Hunter “involved family and friends in union business as employees or vendors without full disclosure and the disinterested approval of the union’s officers and directors.”
  •  “Created an atmosphere at the NBPA that discouraged challenges to his authority, including allowing the union’s former general counsel, Gary Hall, to stop former secretary-treasurer Pat Garrity from speaking freely about conflicts of interest to the executive committee.”
  • “instances in which Mr. Hunter made decisions that reflect poor judgment, displayed insensitivity to conflicts of interest, questions his stewardship of Union resources or raise serious doubts about his interest in the policies and procedures that protect the Union in the orderly conduct of its affairs.” Including an April report that Hunter attempted to invest several million dollars of union funds into a failing New Jersey bank with business ties to his son.

While the report doesn’t claim that Hunter was involved in any legal activities, you’d have to imagine that the players, especially the ones who already had suspicions during the lockout, won’t be pleased

Jill Munroe

Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-based host, producer, and writer. You can find her work on sites such as FoxSports.com, EURweb.com, and MSN.com. Munroe is a current member of the African-American Film Critics Association and the National Association of Black Journalists. Munroe has also been a frequent guest on ESPN radio and Yahoo Sports. In 2015, Munroe released her first book, "PostGame Pass: access into "the life" JillMunroe.com

Share
Published by
Jill Munroe

Recent Posts

Jay-Z Added to Diddy’s Assault Lawsuit; Tyrod Taylor vs. Draya Michele

On the latest episode of RSVP with Jill Munroe, we get into the latest swirl…

2 weeks ago

Drake Goes Full Karen + Kendrick Lamar’s GNX Rules Billboard

The past week has been a whirlwind of drama and dominance in the culture, and…

3 weeks ago

Why the NBA is Flopping in the Ratings Race: Blame the NFL, Beyoncé, and a Tricky Playbook

The NBA's Ratings Woes: Why 2024 is Looking Like a Dunk Gone Wrong The 2024…

4 weeks ago

 Turkey, Touchdowns, and the Tea: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2024 Thanksgiving NFL Games

Thanksgiving is all about family, food, and football—and let’s be honest, the drama that comes…

4 weeks ago

‘Reasonable Doubt’ Season 2 Hulu Tackles Friendship, Power & Secrets | Exclusive with Raamla Mohamed & Emayatzy Corinealdi

Hulu's *Reasonable Doubt* highly anticipated second season delivers a complex mix of courtroom drama, personal…

2 months ago

Frasier Reboot Season 2: How Olivia, Eve, and Roz Redefine Strong Female Characters | Watch on Peacock

The *Frasier* reboot on Peacock returns for its second season, bringing back the beloved character…

2 months ago

This website uses cookies.