Single Mom vs. NFL Players Association

Like a Texas-sized tornado, the Super Bowl frenzy hit Houston last year. And many businesses either prospered or suffered. Unfortunately, the already fortunate usually prosper and the unfortunate suffer. Such is the case of a single mom in business, producer of the highly successful BET/NFLPA party.

The NFL Players Association-Houston Chapter wrote bad checks amounting to over $31,000 to the producer of the much-publicized BET/NFL Players Super Bowl gala held at the Galleria Pavilion last year. The event featured athletic greats, and attracted over 8,500 patrons in one evening. According to a witness, “they carried off boxes of cash to be counted.”

The NFLPA first agreed to a fixed price of $60,000, which was changed at the last minute, and cost the producer penalties of over $6,500. Then the NFLPA persuaded the woman to move forward by promising to "wire money" to her bank account.

Instead, the NFLPA deposited checks--worthless checks. When they were dishonored, the woman’s banker received a call from NFLPA V.P. Charles Taylor, Jr., who stated, “Billy Burge will cover the checks” (Mr. Burge is the Chairman of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority).

Convinced by Taylor's statement, the bank re-submitted the checks for collection. The checks were returned again. By that time, the BET/NFLPA show was over and the money had vanished. The woman was not aware of the payments being in the form of checks until the gala was over.

She has filed a complaint with the District Attorney’s office, which said, "it does not fit the Texas Penal Code." She has also filed a civil lawsuit--Cause No. 819789, in the County Civil Court at Law No. One of Harris County, Texas. The NFLPA claims Taylor was not authorized to sponsor the party and is not willing to offer any restitution. Conversely, Taylor does not dispute the money is owed. Unless a settlement is reached, the civil courts will decide.

The feeding frenzy is now in Jacksonville—are they prepared for the same fall-out?