In Dallas County District Court, a Battle Over the Rights to PGA Rising Star Anthony Kim

By Robert Wilonsky Mon., Aug. 24 2009 at 3:59 PM

Categories: Biz, Sports

PGA.com

Anthony Kim

In May 2008, Oak Lawn Avenue-based Hambric Sports Management filed a breach of contract suit against pro golfer Anthony Kim, the University of Oklahoma star and Dallas resident who ditched Roscoe "Rocky" Hambric's firm that very month for massive New York-based IMG. In December, Hambric's actions more than suggested he wasn't through suing: Reported Sports Business Journal in January, HSM subpoenaed IMG seeking any and all docs that "in any way refer or relate to any and all meetings and/or communications, whether written or oral between IMG and any individual that discuss the prospect of IMG representing Kim as a sports agent." The firm likewise subpoenaed Gaylord Sports Management, which also manages top pro golfers, and Kim's adviser, Sterling Ball.

Perhaps HSM found what it was looking for: Courthouse News has posted a lawsuit filed in Dallas County District Court on Friday, in which Hambric is indeed suing IMG, Gaylord Sports Management and Team AK, claiming they "intentionally and unjustifiably interfered" with HSM's contract with Kim, which was good through December 2008 and which the Dallas-based firm was trying to renew at the time Kim went to IMG. Mark Goodman, Hambric's attorney, tells Unfair Park that "we believe IMG and Gaylord did things we believe to be inappropriate [and] in the discovery process, we've discovered information that makes us comfortable filing the [second] lawsuit." So, what does Hambric want: $5 million in damages for "Defendants' unconscionable conduct," for starters. As for the first suit against Kim, Goodman says it's proceeding "pretty hot and heavy," with HSM in the middle of discovery pending the setting of a jury trial date.

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