Suit Claims Agent Fleischer Violated NCAA, State Laws

Suit Claims Agent Broke NCAA Rules, State Laws

Fleisher allegedly paid for rooms for college athletes; also failed to register

New York, August 11, 2000 -- Well-known agent Eric Fleisher allegedly engaged in NCAA rules violations and failing to abide by state agent registration laws, according to a lawsuit filed against him by another agent.

The suit alleges that Fleisher "paid for meals and/or hotel rooms" for three NBA players while they were still in college. The three were identified in a New York Post article as the New Jersey Nets' Stephon Marbury, Chicago Bulls' Elton Brand, Minnesota Timberwolves' William Avery and Vancouver Grizzlies' Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

Fleisher has been in trouble with state officials, as it is alleged that he failed to register in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina or California. Florida state prosecutors filed charges against him. According to the Post, Fleisher "vehemently denied the allegations."

Twenty-six states have agent registration laws. [click here] Usually they require that agents register with the state (meaning that they pay a fee and in some cases, post a bond) before they can recruit athletes, notably college athletes in that state. In some cases, violations can carry criminal penalties.

Mark Conrad