TANK BLACK filed a lawsuit yesterday in U.S. District
Court in DC against the NFLPA "seeking unspecified damages
for business he claims" his SC-based firm Professional
Management, Inc. (PMI) lost due to an investigation into his
relationship with former Univ. of FL football players,
according to L.C. Johnson of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. The
NFLPA filed a complaint against Black in May "accusing him
of violating regulations for certified agents," and gave him
45 days to respond. But Black and his attorney LEONARD
MUNGO have "argued" that the NFLPA's disciplinary system
violates his civil rights by "forcing the agent to prove
himself innocent after being accused." But NFLPA General
Counsel RICHARD BERTHELSEN said he's seen no evidence of a
lawsuit filed by Black or PMI: "Whether or not he filed a
lawsuit will have no effect on our disciplinary proceedings.
... It's an obvious attempt to deflect attention away from
his conduct" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/23). Black will discuss
the suit today in Orlando (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 6/23).
