The NBA Players Association is investigating allegations that one of its certified agencies provided money to USC guard O.J. Mayo to secure him as a client.
"We've initiated an investigation," a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to Newsday today.
The probe was first reported by Sports Business Journal in the wake of an "Outside the Lines" report aired on ESPN last week. Watch the report here.
The NBAPA is investigating claims by Louis Johnson, a Mayo associate, that Bill Duffy Associates Sports Management gave L.A.-based events promoter Rodney Guillory as much as $250,000 in cash and gifts in its efforts to recruit Mayo. Naturally, such activity is prohibited and could be grounds for disciplinary action against Duffy's agency ranging from a fine to decertification, the person familiar with the situation told Newsday.
Mayo, a certain NBA lottery pick, subsequently hired Duffy's partner, Calvin Andrews of BDA Sports, to represent him. Duffy's publicist, Ilana Nunn, declined to comment while the investigation is ongoing. Duffy told Sports Business Journal, "I have yet to receive anything and when I do, I will respond accordingly."
One aspect of the players' association's probe will be to interview Johnson to "make sure he is being truthful," the person familiar with the probe said. According to the Orange County Register, Johnson already has hired an entertainment attorney and literary agent and is seeking a "six-figure deal" to write a book about his allegations.