Former NBPA Exec Dir BILLY HUNTER's lawsuit against the union yesterday "took the next legal step" when his attorneys filed an amended complaint in L.A. County Superior Court. Hunter is "seeking a jury trial on four breach of contract claims" related to his '13 firing. The new complaint "removes claims" against former NBPA President DEREK FISHER and his business manager, JAMIE WIOR, which had "previously been dismissed by L.A. Superior Court Judge HUEY COTTON." Hunter's attorneys also "clarified the compensation claims that are now the focus of the new complaint." The NBPA's exec committee "fired Hunter" in February '13, asserting that it was "doing so based on the results of a lengthy investigation conducted by the law firm of famed sports attorney TED WELLS." The termination letter also claimed that Hunter's '10 extension was "invalid because it had not been approved by the board of player representatives" (CBSSPORTS.com, 11/16).
U WANT THIS JOB? The Univ. of Miami has hired search firm Korn/Ferry to find a replacement its next football coach. UM also "announced a six-person advisory committee," which includes Deputy AD and Senior Woman Administrator JENNIFER STRAWLEY as well as former NFLers and alums VINNY TESTAVERDE and JONATHAN VILMA (MIAMI HERALD, 11/17).
THE GOOD STUFF: Cavaliers Owner DAN GILBERT and his wife JENNIFER raised $5M earlier this month by "hosting a third annual Detroit 'beNeFit' to support the Children's Tumor Foundation and other research programs targeting neurofibromatosis -- or NF." Some 1,600 people "attended this year's fundraiser" on Nov. 7 at Cobo Center in Detroit, including Cavs F LEBRON JAMES and most of the team's "players, coaching staff and front office" (CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS, 11/16 issue).
NAMES: Baseball HOFer WILLIE MAYS and late HOFer YOGI BERRA yesterday were named as recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. The awards will "be presented on Nov. 24 at the White House" (USA TODAY, 11/17)....Former NBAer GILBERT ARENAS is seeking $40M in a lawsuit against an entertainment business management firm "for allegedly allowing a multimillion-dollar theft of his earnings." The defendants named in the case are Boulevard Management and LESTER KNISPEL, who "handled the finances," and ANDREW SURKIN, who the complaint "states is an employee of the firm" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 11/16)....A lawyer for ESPN's CURT SCHILLING said that the former MLBer "will not return to Rhode Island to testify before the House Oversight Committee." The '12 collapse of Schilling's video game company, 38 Studios, "left taxpayers on the hook" for more than $100M in payments "to the private investors who purchased the state's high-yield bonds" (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 11/17)....Vancouver Magazine ranked the AQUILINI family, which owns the Canucks, No. 6 on its "Power 50" list. Stars Owner TOM GAGLARDI was ranked No. 33 (CBC.ca, 11/16).
