Olympic gold medalist Kerri Strug filed a lawsuit
Wednesday in federal court against FL-based Magic Promotions
Inc. "claiming she is owed more than $850,000 of a
guaranteed $1.13 million," according to Jeff Metcalfe of the
ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Strug is also seeking release from an
exclusive contract through '97 with Magic Promotions.
Strug's 16-month contract with Magic calls for a maximum of
53 tour dates through '97, with her being paid $447,500 for
the first 20 dates and $660,000 for the next 33. But the
tour ended after 20 stops on December 29 and has not
resumed. Strug's complaint says she has received $280,000,
$197,500 less than she was guaranteed for the first 20
dates. Strug's attorney, Preston Longino: "The Strugs are
not trying to overreach or inflame the situation. They just
want to get it resolved." Strug's agent, Leigh Steinberg:
"These things happen. It's more an entertainment thing than
sports. We're using this route to try (to) get Kerri's
situation clarified and to get (Magic) to come through with
compensation." Magic officials have 30 days in which to
file an answer to the complaint (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 3/14).
