Fired National Basketball Player Association director Billy Hunter has released a statement calling the organization’s unanimous firing of him as executive director “extremely troubling” and “preordained.” Hunter also said that he plans to fight the organization’s decision, particularly as it comes to his current contract:
Billy Hunter calls process to fire him as NBPA executive director ‘extremely troubling’
Former NBPA executive director Billy Hunter has released a statement contesting the organization’s decision to fire him.
Hunter: "Legal team and I will begin ... reviewing the actions taken and statements made against me in the meeting room in my absence."
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) February 17, 2013
Hunter also expressed dismay at being barred from attending the meeting where he was ousted, saying it "violates every tenant of fairness." Hunter's frustration at being denied what he sees as due process is shared by SB Nation's Tom Ziller.
The legal battle will now bubble over Hunter’s $3 million annual salary. Reports suggest that the players never officially ratified Hunter’s five-year, $15 million contract in 2010, but Hunter disputes those claims. Hunter’s lawyers say that player approval is only needed to appoint a new executive director, not to extend the contract of the incumbent.
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