STATEMENT FROM G. WILLIAM "BILLY" HUNTER REGARDING

THE NBPA MID-WINTER MEETING

I have yet to receive any notification, other than published news reports, that the NBPA has terminated my employment.  If accurate, it is indicative of the extremely troubling process followed by the NBPA during the past few weeks. During the days and weeks ahead, my legal team and I will begin carefully reviewing the actions taken and statements made against me in the meeting room in my absence.  I look forward to gathering the evidence showing how certain individuals made sure the outcome was pre-ordained. 

After 17 years of representing NBA players during CBA negotiations and defending their rights in other proceedings, not once was there an occasion where one side was denied an opportunity to be heard.  The current interim regime in control of the NBPA has set a terrible precedent for the union.  It violates every tenet of fairness upon which the union was founded.  Now that this has occurred, I will continue to examine all of my options, including whether the fairness that was absent from the NBPA process might be available in a different forum.  In addition, given the legitimate legal and governance questions surrounding the eligibility of the members who voted and the adherence, or lack thereof, to the constitution and bylaws, I do not consider today's vote the end, only a different beginning.  My legal representatives and I will resume communication with the NBPA to determine how to best move forward in the best interests of all parties.

 

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Friends and Colleagues:

 

Welcome to Mr. Hunter's new blog, simply designed for two purposes:

 

1) To keep many of you updated on the status of Mr. Hunter's position with the NBPA.  Many of you have graciously inquired about the well-being of both Mr. Hunter and his family during this challenging time.

2)  To provide a strong preliminary rebuttal to the Paul Weiss Report which was one-sided in content and not characteristic of Mr. Hunter's successful 17 year tenure of the NBPA.

 

Therefore, the links below will lead you to the preliminary response to the Report (including a brief executive summary) and importantly, a presentation we were prepared to deliver in Houston during the NBPA Mid-Winter Meeting. Many players expected to hear from Mr. Hunter in Houston and have expressed dismay that he has not not been invited by the interim leadership regime -- whose authority to place him on administrative leave is not supported by the union's Constitution or bylaws.  Therefore, Mr. Hunter was left with no choice but to communicate with the public in a more direct manner to ensure that his response to the allegations was heard without filter.
 

As we have all been taught from childhood, there is always another side to the story that should be evaluated in any circumstance and before any judgments are made or actions, once taken, cannot be reversed.

 

Again, Mr. Hunter has appreciated your many calls, texts and emails.

 

Preliminary Response to the Paul Weiss Report (21 pages)

Executive Summary (3 pages)

Supplemental Exhibits

Presentation to NBPA Mid-Winter Meeting 2013 (PowerPoint)

 

Attorneys:
 

Michael Carlinsky, Quinn, Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan
Corey Worcester, Quinn, Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan

Thomas R. Ashley, Law Offices of Thomas R. Ashley

Randy Davenport, Law Offices of Randy Davenport