Pelicans’ Zion Williamson Granted Temporary Stay; Will Not Have To Answer Questions On Improper Benefits For Now

As for now, New Orleans Pelicans’ player Zion Williamson will not have to answer questions surrounding his former marketing agency’s allegations that he received improper benefits before playing at Duke University.

On Thursday, the former Blue Devils’ Star was granted a temporary stay of proceedings in a Florida lawsuit brought on by Prime Sports Marketing Company and company President Gina Ford. Last summer, Williamson filed suit in a North Carolina Court requesting the termination of his five-year contract with the agency before moving to Creative Artists Agency LLC. A week later, Prime filed their own suit against the NBA player and his new agency, citing breach of contract.

Prime and Ford’s attorneys filed discovery documents that raised questions regarding the rookie’s legitimacy of signing with Duke. The filings probe at whether or not the rookie or anyone on his behalf sought or accepted “money, benefits, favors, or things of value” to sign with the university. Under court rules, Williamson was given thirty days to respond.

Jeffrey Klein represents last year’s Number 1 draft pick, and quickly refuted opposing counsel’s questions, saying they were “nothing more than a fishing expedition.”Judge David C. Miller first ruled against Williamson’s original request to stay on Tuesday. 

The attorneys for Prime and Gina Ford have ten days to respond to the stay order.