Shoshanna Utchenik
ticklethewire.com
Some of the more exciting action in the NBA these days may be off the court.
The behind the scenes dealings of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) is apparently going to be scrutinized by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office, which has issued a subpoena.
The investigation follows the NBPA’s Executive Director Billy Hunter and executive committee’s refusal to review financial and business practices when requested by their President Derek Fisher, an Oklahoma City Thunder guard, earlier this month, according to Bloomberg Business Week. After refusing the review, the committee asked Fisher to resign.
Hunter, who has served in his current position since 1996, through 2 major run-ins with players, has two children and a daughter-in-law working with the Association directly or indirectly.
Bloomberg gleaned from public records that the New York-based union has paid $4.8 million to Hunter’s family members and their professional firms since 2001. The association has appointed six player representatives and executive committee members to a special committee, to oversee an internal inquiry that will include a financial audit. Hunter has recused himself from the review process.
“The mere fact that there may be nepotism is not going to in and of itself draw the interest of investigators,” William Gould, an emeritus professor at Stanford Law School and a former chairman of the National Labor Relations Board, told Bloomberg in a telephone interview.
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