Lebron James and Drake facing $10 million lawsuit over hockey documentary
Last week, news began to leak that Drake and LeBron James had partnered with the 'Hockey Diversity Alliance' and former NHL player Akim Aliu.
The group was committed to creating a documentary called 'Black Ice' that was expected to debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. However, now there appear to be issues with that plan, as the duo is been sued over the film.
''The documentary was intended to code focus on anti-black racism in the history of hockey and features players from the Hockey Diversity Alliance, plus other black players.''
It was revealed that Billy Hunter, the former longtime head of the NBA Players Association, is seeking a share of the profits from the documentary and $10 million in damages, and he filed the claim in the Manhattan Supreme Court.
As per Puck Empire:
''Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, and rapper Drake, are accused in a new $10 million lawsuit of stealing the 'intellectual property rights' to a film � 'Black Ice' � about the old, segregated hockey league for black players in Canada.''
''Billy Hunter, former longtime head of the NBA Players Association and ex-federal prosecutor, is seeking a share of profits from the documentary as well as $10 million in damages in an explosive complaint filed in Manhattan state Supreme Court that alleges he holds the exclusive legal rights to produce any film about the Colored Hockey League that existed from 1895 to the 1930s.''
''While the defendants LeBron James, Drake and Maverick Carter [LeBron's business partner] are internationally known and renowned in their respective fields of basketball and music, it does not afford them the right to steal another's intellectual property,» says the suit filed by Hunter's attorney, Larry Hutcher.''
''In the lawsuit, Hunter accuses defendants who include LeBron James & Drake, and their entertainment companies of cutting a deal behind his back with the authors of the critically acclaimed book that the documentary is based on � 'Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, 1895 to 1925.' ''
''The authors, George and Darril Fosty, are also listed as defendants, citing breach of contract for allegedly violating the agreement giving Hunter the rights to produce a movie on the black hockey league and instead working out a side deal with Team LeBron and Drake.''
''The suit says Hunter paid the authors a total of $265,000 for the movie rights to the story.''
''Billy Hunter, former longtime head of the NBA Players Association and ex-federal prosecutor, is seeking a share of profits from the documentary as well as $10 million in damages in an explosive complaint filed in Manhattan state Supreme Court that alleges he holds the exclusive legal rights to produce any film about the Colored Hockey League that existed from 1895 to the 1930s.''
''While the defendants LeBron James, Drake and Maverick Carter [LeBron's business partner] are internationally known and renowned in their respective fields of basketball and music, it does not afford them the right to steal another's intellectual property,» says the suit filed by Hunter's attorney, Larry Hutcher.''
''In the lawsuit, Hunter accuses defendants who include LeBron James & Drake, and their entertainment companies of cutting a deal behind his back with the authors of the critically acclaimed book that the documentary is based on � 'Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, 1895 to 1925.' ''
''The authors, George and Darril Fosty, are also listed as defendants, citing breach of contract for allegedly violating the agreement giving Hunter the rights to produce a movie on the black hockey league and instead working out a side deal with Team LeBron and Drake.''
''The suit says Hunter paid the authors a total of $265,000 for the movie rights to the story.''
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