전설적인 복싱 선수 플로이드 메이웨어 주니어가 자신의 프로모션 회사 ‘Showtime’을 상대로 340만 달러의 소송을 제기했습니다. 이번 소송은 재정 사기와 경기 수익금 관련 문제로 제기된 것으로 알려져 있습니다. 이번 사건은 스포츠계에 큰 파장을 일으킬 것으로 예상됩니다.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s $340 Million Lawsuit Against Showtime and Former Executive
Floyd Mayweather Jr., one of the most successful professional boxers in history, has filed a $340 million lawsuit against Showtime and a former executive at the company. Mayweather alleges that Showtime, through a complex web of hidden accounts, unauthorized transactions, and deliberate concealment of financial records, deprived him of a significant portion of his career earnings.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, names Paramount-owned Showtime and its former president of Showtime Sports, Stephen Espinoza, as defendants. Mayweather claims that his inquiries about his pay were met with conflicting responses from Showtime, including that critical financial records for his biggest fights were ‘lost’ or inaccessible.
Mayweather’s Relationship with Former Manager Al Haymon
Over Mayweather’s 21-year career, the boxer has reportedly earned $1.2 billion. He first met his former manager, Al Haymon, in 2004 and soon entered a verbal agreement with him, allowing Haymon to manage Mayweather for a 10% fee. Mayweather considered Haymon to be a ‘father figure and relied on him to manage virtually all aspects of his finances and contracts.’.
According to the lawsuit, Haymon became the ‘mastermind of the financial scheme,’ engaging in ‘financial manipulation and self-dealing behind Mayweather’s back.’ The complaint alleges that Haymon diverted portions of Mayweather’s earnings, put fight revenues into secret accounts, and paid himself large sums of money without Mayweather’s knowledge.
Showtime’s Alleged Involvement and Missing Financial Records
In 2013, Mayweather exited a long-term contract with HBO to ink a new exclusive multi-fight deal with Showtime. The lawsuit contends that Showtime and Espinoza enabled Haymon’s scheme and stymied Mayweather’s efforts to uncover the truth.
Mayweather’s team reached out to Showtime in 2024 for documentation of fight revenues and expenses, but they were told the documents were ‘lost in a flood’ or stored off-site and not readily accessible. The lawsuit also alleges that Showtime still owes Mayweather $20 million from his 2015 fight against Andre Berto, which was originally meant to come from the proceeds of the Manny Pacquiao fight that year.
Paramount’s Response and Mayweather’s Pursuit of Justice
A spokesperson for Paramount, the parent company of Showtime, has stated that the claims in Mayweather’s lawsuit are ‘baseless’ and ‘lack legal or factual merit.’ They have strongly rejected the allegations and vowed to respond accordingly through the court process.
Mayweather’s pursuit of justice in this $340 million lawsuit against Showtime and the former Showtime Sports president highlights the complex financial relationships and potential conflicts of interest that can arise in the world of professional sports and entertainment. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by the boxing community and beyond.