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 'Prematurely terminated' Kings' Webber wins ruling against Fila
Posted: Thursday July 08, 1999 04:07 PM
BALTIMORE (AP) -- An arbitration panel has awarded $2.61 million to Sacramento Kings forward Chris Webber, ruling that Fila U.S.A. wrongfully terminated his endorsement contract after a series of legal difficulties. The sporting goods company severed Webber's shoe deal in August after the NBA star was stopped during a Fila promotional trip in San Juan's international airport with a carry-on bag containing 11 grams of marijuana. Eight months earlier, Webber was arrested on his way to a Washington Wizards practice and charged with a variety of offenses, including assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and possession of marijuana. Fila terminated the contract under a good-conduct clause, a decision that Webber's representatives strongly opposed. In a decision rendered late last month and announced this week, a three-member panel of the American Arbitration Association ruled in favor of Webber, saying he "did not violate the terms of his contract" and that "FILA prematurely terminated the agreement." Fila spokesman Andrea Nacmias said the company would have no comment on the ruling. Webber has steadfastly insisted that the carry-on bag belonged to a female companion. "I am happy the arbitrators fully and fairly considered all of the evidence presented by my attorneys ... and ruled in my favor," Webber said in a statement. "I would like to put the matter behind me and move forward with my career."
Webber's publicist, Yvette Watson, said Thursday, "Our camp is very
excited, very pleased. It was the right decision."
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