A man described as a “long-time acquaintance” of Shaquille O'Neal has sued the former NBA superstar and his production company, Jersey Legends Productions, alleging he was threatened with a promised payment.
The complaint, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court by Donnie Wilson, accuses O'Neal, his Jersey Legend Productions co-founder Michael Paris, and the company itself of breach of contract and “numerous” labor law violations. I made an accusation. It was a violation of an oral agreement that was supposed to be “legally binding.”
Mr. Wilson's lawyer, Ron Zambrano of the West Coast Employment Lawyers Association, blasted Mr. O'Neal in a statement, referring to the infamous FTX class action lawsuit in which he was accused of dodging prison time for months.
“Shaquille O'Neal can certainly give the impression that he's everyone's best friend and just a fun guy, until he apparently borrows money.” “They hid from their lawyers for months in a class action lawsuit over Mr. Wilson, and now they're basically doing the same thing with Mr. Wilson, hiding from their financial obligations,” Zambrano said. Ta. “It's a shameful act by a celebrity of his stature.”
According to a press release announcing the lawsuit, Wilson served as O'Neill's community relations director from 1996 to 2006, when she left that position to write plays and ultimately met Parris.
The lawsuit alleges that Paris hired Wilson to her production company in 2019 “for the following reasons:” [his] Entertainment industry knowledge and playwriting, screenwriting, television, and scriptwriting skills. ”
Wilson became the company's creative director.
“[Wilson]was wary of whether Paris would actually deliver on his promise, based on his previous 10 years of experience with Paris. . . “While this was based on past conduct, we took a further leap of faith because of our close relationship and Mr. Parris' promise to elevate Plaintiff to co-owner with the expectation that he would operate with integrity,” the lawsuit states. claims.
“Accordingly, Plaintiff has agreed to serve only if possible as an official partner with an 18% ownership interest in Jersey Legends.” We promised to be partners.”
The suit alleges that Mr. Wilson contributed to the Academy Award-winning “Queen of Basketball'' and an animated short film called “Head Noises,'' which was narrated by Mr. O'Neal.
wilson Credited as executive producer on “Queen of Basketball”'' and claims he received no compensation for his work with Jersey Legends.
“While creating these works, [Wilson] Collaborated with O'Neill. Paris said. [Wilson] “O'Neal knew that Plaintiff was not being compensated and was not officially recognized as a co-owner of Jersey Legends,” the lawsuit says. “According to Paris, O'Neal knew [Wilson] He will become a co-owner and will eventually take care of it. ”
Wilson claims he offered Jersey Legends a contract in 2022, but O'Neal and Paris never signed a contract despite their continued contributions to Jersey Legends. He pointed out.
Jersey Legends was sold to Authentic Brands Group last year, but the release said Wilson was not paid “a penny.”
“This entire ordeal has left me shaken. This was an act of betrayal that shattered my confidence in my impartiality,” Wilson said in a statement. “More than the debt, it's the personal aspect that is most serious. This betrayal feels like a sharp slap in the face to Shakir's loved ones, especially Michael Paris's family, who consider him family.” . I am very disappointed and disappointed.”
The newspaper was unable to reach O'Neill's representatives for comment.
