Michael Avenatti Tweets Alleged Docs of Nike Payments to Deandre Ayton's Mother
March 28, 2019
Attorney Michael Avenatti accused Nike earlier this week of providing cash payments to the mother of Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton and the handlers of Oregon freshman Bol Bol. On Wednesday, he posted pictures of documents that he claims proves the alleged misconduct.
Avenatti took to Twitter to back up his claim:
Michael Avenatti @MichaelAvenattiThese, among other documents, are now in the hands of prosecutors. These particular examples relate to $10k in cash funneled from Nike to Deandre Ayton’s mother. Nike had cash hand delivered to avoid discovery by law enforcement and the NCAA. #Receipts https://t.co/ptVfzRYdqx
This comes one day after he levied serious accusations against Nike:
Michael Avenatti @MichaelAvenattiBol Bol and his handlers also received large sums from Nike. The receipts are clear as day. A lot of people at Nike will have to account for their criminal conduct, starting with Carlton DeBose & moving higher up. The diversion charade they orchestrated against me will be exposed
Avenatti appeared in court Monday after allegedly trying to extort more than $20 million from Nike "by threatening to use his ability to garner publicity to inflict substantial financial and reputational harm on the company if his demands were not met," according to ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach.
Per Schlabach, Avenatti and an unidentified co-conspirator were seeking a minimum of $15 million to $25 million from Nike for an internal investigation they would conduct.
He was released on $300,000 bond.
"For the entirety of my career, I have fought against the powerful: powerful people and powerful corporations," Avenatti told reporters Monday, per Schlabach. "I will never stop fighting that good fight. I am highly confident that when all of the evidence is laid bare in connection with these cases, when it is all known, when due process occurs, that I will be fully exonerated and justice will be done."
The 48-year-old attorney later defended himself on Twitter:
Michael Avenatti @MichaelAvenattiI want to thank all of my supporters for your kind words and support today. It means a lot to me. I am anxious for people to see what really happened. We never attempted to extort Nike & when the evidence is disclosed, the public will learn the truth about Nike’s crime & coverup.
In February 2018, Schlabach reported an FBI wiretap caught Arizona head coach Sean Miller discussing a $100,000 payment to ensure Ayton signed with the Wildcats.
Ayton's family denied that report.
"Deandre directly stated to the FBI, more than six months ago, that he never discussed or solicited payments from the University of Arizona, or any other university, or any shoe company or anyone on behalf of either—period," the Ayton family said in a statement, per Anne Ryman of the Arizona Republic. "This includes basketball and anything else."
Sports Illustrated's Michael McCann also cited a source in March 2018 who said the details of the call in the ESPN report were inaccurate.
Ayton went on to play in all 35 of Arizona's games during his one-and-done career in Tucson. The Phoenix Suns selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft this past June.