Billy Hunter Fires Family Members From NBA Players Union

Executive director Billy Hunter has given his daughter and daughter-in-law the ax from the NBA Players Union after his hiring practices were highly criticized.

"Hopefully this decision will alleviate any concerns raised by their employment," Hunter wrote in a letter to the union of special players. "These measures are being taken although the report noted that both of them were highly qualified, not overpaid, and were contributing members of the NBPA staff."

In the note, Billy indicated that Robyn Hunter was to be let go as of Jan. 25 while Megan Inaba would work through the All-Star break to help coordinate activities in Houston before leaving her job on Feb. 17. He also states that the NBPA will no longer work with Prim Capital, the banking firm that employs Hunter's son, Todd.

Firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP issued a report on Hunter's employment tactics, citing numerous conflicts of interest but no financial misconduct. "The appearance of favoritism has damaged the union. Mr. Hunter's pattern of involving friends and family in union business contributed to a deep rift among the NBPA staff," the report says. It also added that his choices "created the appearance that he operated the union in part for the benefit of his family and friends."

Hunter also addressed the controversy in his letter. "In my work for the NBPA, my priority has always been to promote the interests of the players," he wrote. "Through the benefit of hindsight, as with any executive, there are always things that could have been done better. In that spirit, I regret that my long tenure with many successes on behalf of the players has been overshadowed by the appearance of conflicts of interest."

Via: ABC News

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