Nelson-Cuban dispute seems to be worsening
By: Janny Hu
San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, June 29, 2007
Regardless of whether Warriors coach Don Nelson returns to the sidelines next season, his fall schedule is likely to include a stop in court, where his arbitration suit against Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is taking on new dimensions.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Cuban filed a counterclaim against Nelson last month, contending that the former Mavs coach violated his non-compete clause by using insider information against Dallas during the playoffs.
The source also said that Cuban is seeking an injunction against Nelson working for Golden State, though the litigation has no bearing on Nelson's pending decision on coaching again or retiring.
Reached by phone this week, Nelson's lawyer, John O'Connor, would say only that the Cuban's claim was baseless, particularly the notion about inside information.
"I suppose if Don knows that (Dirk) Nowitzki likes to go to his right and not his left, that that is confidential information as far as Cuban is concerned," O'Connor said. "We disagree and think it's absurd."
Nelson originally filed arbitration papers over $6.6 million in deferred payments he believed he's owed from his contract with Ross Perot Jr., the former Mavs owner. When Nelson stepped down as the Mavericks coach in 2005, he agreed to stay on as a consultant.
"We will let the lawyers sort it out," Cuban said in an e-mail. "At least he admits he had a non-compete clause in his five-year consulting deal he signed."
By: Janny Hu
San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, June 29, 2007
Regardless of whether Warriors coach Don Nelson returns to the sidelines next season, his fall schedule is likely to include a stop in court, where his arbitration suit against Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is taking on new dimensions.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Cuban filed a counterclaim against Nelson last month, contending that the former Mavs coach violated his non-compete clause by using insider information against Dallas during the playoffs.
The source also said that Cuban is seeking an injunction against Nelson working for Golden State, though the litigation has no bearing on Nelson's pending decision on coaching again or retiring.
Reached by phone this week, Nelson's lawyer, John O'Connor, would say only that the Cuban's claim was baseless, particularly the notion about inside information.
"I suppose if Don knows that (Dirk) Nowitzki likes to go to his right and not his left, that that is confidential information as far as Cuban is concerned," O'Connor said. "We disagree and think it's absurd."
Nelson originally filed arbitration papers over $6.6 million in deferred payments he believed he's owed from his contract with Ross Perot Jr., the former Mavs owner. When Nelson stepped down as the Mavericks coach in 2005, he agreed to stay on as a consultant.
"We will let the lawyers sort it out," Cuban said in an e-mail. "At least he admits he had a non-compete clause in his five-year consulting deal he signed."
