Agent Drew Rosenhaus asked a federal judge earlier this week to charge Redskins WR DeSean Jackson, his former client, $20,000 for every instance a confidential restriction is violated in their ongoing court case. In a court filing, Rosenhaus argued that Jackson adviser Steve Feldman had already violated such restrictions by copying two reporters on a letter sent in '13, though Feldman later said he did not send the correspondence to the media. “Apparently, this was his idea of a prank to intimidate Rosenhaus Sports with the threat of public disclosure of confidential information and documents from the Jackson arbitration,” Rosenhaus’ attorneys wrote. “At present, we do not know whether Mr. Feldman was lying when he indicated that he had sent copies to these other persons or was lying when he said that he did not send copies to these other parties.” Feldman declined to comment, though a source familiar with the situation said Feldman had sent a letter soon after the '13 incident to Rosenhaus’ firm clarifying he had not sent the letter to the media, too. The letter in question was one to NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith and concerned issues related to Rosenhaus’ dispute with Jackson.
STEMMING FROM UNPAID LOANS: At issue in the lawsuit is $500,000 Rosenhaus contends Jackson owes him in unpaid loans. The loaned amount did not have to be paid back unless Jackson terminated Rosenhaus as his agent, which occurred. An NFLPA arbitrator ruled last year in Rosenhaus’ favor, and the Miami-based agent sued in federal court to enforce the decision. Jackson countersued, contending the arbitrator had the appearance of bias in favor of Rosenhaus. Judge Michael Fitzgerald found enough evidence to support the bias claim and ordered discovery on the NFLPA and Rosenhaus. It is that discovery that is at issue now. Rosenhaus wants Feldman shielded from most confidential information, arguing it would expose privileged athlete contracts. Feldman is a certified NFLPA agent and represented Jackson during the arbitration. He is part of the current advisory team but not counsel of record. “The Court need not decide whether Rosenhaus’ concern that Feldman would misuse Rosenhaus’ confidential information is well founded because, under the terms of Jackson’s proposed protective order, none of the information Rosenhaus contends is confidential will be disclosed to Feldman,” Jackson’s attorneys wrote the court. Fitzgerald scheduled discovery and depositions to begin shortly after the Super Bowl. A decision is expected sometime in the spring. If he finds the NFLPA arbitrator biased, the case would then have to be reheard by a new arbitrator.
