U.S. Attorney's Office In N.Y. Is Investigating NBPA; Union Launches Internal Inquiry

The NBPA on Friday said that it is "being investigated by the U.S. Attorney's Office in N.Y.," according to Soshnick & Levinson of BLOOMBERG NEWS. Sources said that NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter "was notified of the investigation by subpoena for documents" on Wednesday. The union "has appointed a six-member special committee that consists of players representatives and executive committee members to oversee an internal inquiry that will include a financial audit." The union has retained attorney Theodore Wells, Jr. of N.Y.-based law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to conduct the inquiry (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 4/27). In N.Y., Ken Belson noted the business practices of the NBPA have "come under scrutiny because of accusations of nepotism and conflicts of interest." A union statement said Hunter "pledged his full cooperation with the internal inquiry, although he has recused himself from the process to ensure that it is an independent one" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/28).