Billy Hunter, your end is near - Fires family from NBA players union

[He Who Posts Well]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Executive director Billy Hunter has fired his daughter and daughter-in-law from the NBA players' association, less than two weeks after a review criticized his hiring practices.

In a letter to the union's special committee of players, dated Jan. 23, Hunter informed them that Robyn Hunter was to be let go as of Jan. 25. Megan Inaba will stay on through the All-Star break to help coordinate activities in Houston before leaving her job on Feb. 17.

''Hopefully this decision will alleviate any concerns raised by their employment,'' Hunter wrote. ''These measures are being taken although the report noted that both of them were highly qualified, not overpaid, and were contributing members of the NBPA staff.''

Hunter also states in the letter, obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press, that the NBPA will no longer work with Prim Capital, the banking firm that employs Hunter's son, Todd.

The letter was first reported by Bloomberg News.

The review by the firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP said Hunter's hiring of family and friends had ''damaged the union.'' Though finding no evidence of illegal use of union funds, the report cited numerous conflicts of interests, noted that his contract was never properly approved and urged players to consider whether they wanted to remove him during their All-Star meeting.

''The appearance of favoritism has damaged the union. Mr. Hunter's pattern of involving friends and family in union business contributed to a deep rift among the NBPA staff,'' the report said, adding that Hunter's choices ''created the appearance that he operated the union in part for the benefit of his family and friends.''

Hunter wrote in the letter that an anti-nepotism policy had been adopted, and that other hiring improvements would be implemented.

''In my work for the NBPA, my priority has always been to promote the interests of the players,'' Hunter wrote. ''Through the benefit of hindsight, as with any executive, there are always things that could have been done better. In that spirit, I regret that my long tenure with many successes on behalf of the players has been overshadowed by the appearance of conflicts of interest.''

Union spokesman Dan Wasserman said Hunter had no comment on the letter or the dismissals.

Hunter has headed the union since 1996 and makes $3 million a year. The eight-month review gave players plenty of reason to consider his future with the organization, though Hunter has good relationships with many of them and has said he looks forward to continuing.

He is not nearly as popular with agents, who questioned his strategy during the lockout and sought a larger role. The New York Times on Tuesday printed text of a letter to his clients from Arn Tellem, one of the most powerful agents, urging Hunter's removal next month, and others will likely follow.

The review was sought in part by Derek Fisher, the union president who clashed with Hunter during and after the NBA lockout that lasted from July through November 2011. It began last April and included reviews of documents, financial records and NBPA emails, and interviews of witnesses.

Hunter wrote that he disagreed with certain aspects of the report but reiterated that he was pleased it found no evidence of criminal activity.

Hunter fires family members from NBA players union - Yahoo! Sports

 

[He Who Posts Well]

Tellem Becomes First Agent To Call For Dismissal Of Billy Hunter
Jan 29, 2013 10:17 AM EST

In a letter sent to his players, Arn Tellem calls for the removal of Billy Hunter as executive director of the National Basketball Players Association.

“N.B.A. players deserve better representation from the union they fund,” Tellem writes in the letter. “I implore you and your fellow players to take control of your union and your future. It’s time for Mr. Hunter to go.”

Tellem suggests that the players make that decision during the players association's annual All-Star meeting.

In his letter, Tellem suggests that Hunter should not be allowed to attend that meeting to prevent him from any attempt “to intimidate and manipulate.” Tellem writes: “Hunter is betting that the players — historically passive — will let him slide. I hope you don’t. Clearly, Hunter has violated your trust.”

Hunter could not immediately be reached for comment.

Tellem represents Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Pau Gasol, Joe Johnson, amongst many other NBA players.

No other agents have publicly called for Hunter’s dismissal, but Jeff Schwartz, Dan Fegan, Bill Duffy, Mark Bartelstein and Leon Rose all called for the union to decertify during the lockout.

An outside audit has heavily criticized the expenditures, hiring practices and judgment of Hunter during his tenure.
Tellem Becomes First Agent To Call For Dismissal Of Billy Hunter - RealGM Wiretap

 

[He Who Posts Well]

Dude has to go. He didn't have a plan or any discernible strategy for the lockout and let the players get fcuked over. The players need to elect a new executive, not named Dereck Fisher. He initiated that investigation to rightfully expose Hunter but, his ulterior motive was to take his spot. I don't think he's the right person for the job.

 

[calh45]

I still can't believe he hired his daughter, daughter-in-law THEN used a firm that his son worked for then expect us all to believe it wasn't all about nepotism. Dude should get fired just based off that

 

[bigrodthe1]

I still can't believe he hired his daughter, daughter-in-law THEN used a firm that his son worked for then expect us all to believe it wasn't all about nepotism. Dude should get fired just based off that

It's not impossible to think they all might be qualified for their respective jobs
Not siding with Billy but I see that shyt happening in corporate amerikkka all the time and it's rarely the Black man given the opportunity to do it. Would you not try to put on your seed to work directly with you so you can monitor their progress if you had the chance???

 

[calh45]

It's not impossible to think they all might be qualified for their respective jobs
Not siding with Billy but I see that shyt happening in corporate amerikkka all the time and it's rarely the Black man given the opportunity to do it. Would you not try to put on your seed to work directly with you so you can monitor their progress if you had the chance???

If you're gonna do it then you better be above board about it the whole way, which it don't seem like he was, otherwise why would he just fire his kids and dump a company if he didn't do anything wrong? He knew he did some sideways shyt so he had to let them go.

Most CEO's etc get their family on the slick way, they put their kids on with their homies' companies, so they won't have to deal with shyt like this unless their name is on the side of the building.

 

[mastermind]

It's not impossible to think they all might be qualified for their respective jobs
Not siding with Billy but I see that shyt happening in corporate amerikkka all the time and it's rarely the Black man given the opportunity to do it. Would you not try to put on your seed to work directly with you so you can monitor their progress if you had the chance???

he was putting NBA players money into his son's failing bank. Because of that I am skeptical of how qualified they were.

 

[bigrodthe1]

If you're gonna do it then you better be above board about it the whole way, which it don't seem like he was, otherwise why would he just fire his kids and dump a company if he didn't do anything wrong? He knew he did some sideways shyt so he had to let them go.

Most CEO's etc get their family on the slick way, they put their kids on with their homies' companies, so they won't have to deal with shyt like this unless their name is on the side of the building.

Check the exec names for most major Sport orgs...all the way down to the coaches and their assistance. Damn near ALL cats with MAJOR bread throw their kids and shyt in the mix somehow.

 

[tremonthustler1]

 

[bigrodthe1]

he was putting NBA players money into his son's failing bank. Because of that I am skeptical of how qualified they were.

So you REALLY think the Son was the cause of the bank failing...goes to show more of the moron Hunter is...like I said, I'm not siding with Hunter but it has to go deeper than because he hired his folks...execs do it all the time.

 

[mastermind]

So you REALLY think the Son was the cause of the bank failing...goes to show more of the moron Hunter is...like I said, I'm not siding with Hunter but it has to go deeper than because he hired his folks...execs do it all the time.

Idk why the bank was failing. The point I am making is that if that wasnt Hunter's son, no NBA player would be investing in that bank and Hunter would never have recommended them. And if Hunter would have anyway, than that should be grounds for his termination.

 

[bigrodthe1]

Idk why the bank was failing. The point I am making is that if that wasnt Hunter's son, no NBA player would be investing in that bank and Hunter would never have recommended them. And if Hunter would have anyway, than that should be grounds for his termination.

banks fail everyday B...you an edumacated brother...stop acting slow.

 

[mastermind]

banks fail everyday B...you an edumacated brother...stop acting slow.

this was a very uneducated statement

 

[phillycavsfan]

 

[Slaimon Khan Shah]

GULLY.