Former Blues President Jack Quinn "is seeking more than
$800,000 over public criticism made by" Blues Chair Jerry
Ritter and is challenging the team's decision to stop his
salary payments, according to Tim Bryant of the ST. LOUIS
POST-DISPATCH. Quinn says he had a guaranteed contract, and
"contends" the team owes him $800,000 in salary, $31,200 for
a car allowance and $25,000 in medical benefits on the
contract, which he claims was guaranteed through January 13,
2003. The suit alleges that the payments were part of a
contract agreement reached by the two sides in December '96
for Quinn to step down as president to become a consultant
to the team. The Blues stopped payments to Quinn last
month. Quinn's attorney, Merle Silverstein, said that
Ritter "fired" Quinn last month from his consultant position
"over alleged transgressions involving" Devils D and former
Blues player Scott Stevens. Silverstein maintains that the
contract was guaranteed and that the Blues "have to pay it."
Quinn's suit, which was filed Monday, also accuses the Blues
of violating the "non-disparagement" clause of their
contract with him because of comments Ritter made to
reporters after the NHL fined the team $1.5M for "tampering"
with Stevens. A spokesperson for the Blues declined to
discuss the suit (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 2/10).
