A jury in Orange County Superior Court on Wednesday ruled in favor of Paradigm Sports Management, LLC in a breach of contract lawsuit against Manny Pacquiao.
The jury ruled in favor of Paradigm Sports 9-3, to award $5.1 million which broken down is $3.3 million in actual damages and $1.8 million in punitive damages. According to Sportico, the verdict also includes the right for Paradigm to collect 10% annual interest on the amount dating back three years and attorneys’ fees for a total amount of approximately $8 million.
Of course, despite the jury award, the dispute is not over as Pacquiao’s attorneys state that a Motion for Nonsuit is pending before the Court and will be heard in June. This apparently stems from trial testimony in which Audie Attar stated that he did not have a combat sports manager license in California although he was attempting to sign Pacquiao.
The Ronda Rousey-Darin Harvey case was a similar case in which the California State Athletic Commission ruled in favor of the former UFC champion. The reason being was that Harvey did not utilize the correct CSAC managerial form nor was it executed in front of CSAC officials. As a result, at the administrative hearing, the commission ruled in favor of Rousey.
While the facts are similar, but not the same, Paradigm attorneys claim that this is a case of first impression.
Pacquiao’s lawyers state that there is Motion for Nonsuit pending which is basically a motion that says based on the evidence presented by the plaintiff cannot prove its case. Notably, the motion was used in trial already by both parties and the Court denied both motions. Whether or not this is an indicator of what the Court may do at the June hearing is unknown.
But, if the Court sides with Pacquiao, the verdict will be overturned and will likely set off an appeal. Of course, if the verdict remains in tact then Pacquiao’s attorney would bring a motion to set aside the verdict, reduce the damages or appeal.
MPO will have more on this.
Leave a Reply