Lil Wayne’s Sports Agency Is Suing Its Former NBA Client Frank Mason III For $90K+ And A Gold Chain

The Breakdown

• In April 2017, basketball player Frank Mason III signed with Lil Wayne’s sports agency and agreed to pay back a $40,000 advance and expenses if he ever terminated the relationship.
• In April 2018, Mason terminated his Standard Player Agent Contract with Lil Wayne’s sports agency, and the agency demanded $92,000 based on the advance and other expenses, as well as return of a gold necklace with the YM logo or $11,000 to represent its alleged value.
  
• Here’s the Complaint: YM APAA Sports Group & Entertainment, LLC v. Frank Mason, III

Some Color

Roughly 5 years ago, rapper Lil Wayne announced that he was entering the world of athlete representation and would use the Young Money brand to help secure athletes. Since then, he has merged his company with another startup called APAA Sports Group to become Young Money APAA Sports (YM APAA Sports Group & Entertainment).

The merged entity has been involved in additional M&A to create what is now a reputable company in basketball and football, with the majority of the company’s focus being placed on servicing NFL players such as Devin and Jason McCourty, Lane Johnson, Derrius Guice and Malik Jefferson.

Recently, a lot of the discussion surrounding YM APAA Sports has been centered on its quick growth, particularly with regard to the Guice and Jefferson signings, 2 highly touted players going into the 2018 NFL Draft. However, the company is now embroiled in litigation against 1 of its former basketball clients — Frank Mason III.

In a lawsuit filed on August 3, 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California – Sacramento Division, YM APAA Sports is suing Mason for $92,000 in monies advanced and expenses incurred, as well as return of a gold necklace or $11,000 representing its perceived value.

The 3 causes of action in the filing are Breach of Contract, Indebitatus Assumpsit – Money Had and Received, and Conversion.

The Quote

“Plaintiff allowed Defendant to use a gold necklace with the YM logo while itremained Defendant’s sports and marketing agent. Defendant unilaterally terminated this business relationship. Plaintiff demanded return of the gold necklace valued at approximately $11,000.00. Defendant has maliciously refused to return the gold necklace and has acted with a conscious disregard to Plaintiff’s right to its property.” – YM APAA Sports Group & Entertainment, LLC v. Frank Mason, III