Chris Webber Wins Contract Dispute With Fila

Jet, July 26, 1999

Sacramento Kings forward Chris Webber recently won a multimillion-dollar contract dispute case with the shoe and athletic apparel company Fila in a ruling by a three-member panel of the American Arbitration Association.

The panel ruled that "Webber did not violate the terms of his contract. Fila prematurely terminated the agreement."

Fila terminated Webber's contract last August afar a series of legal troubles, culminating in an incident during a Fila-sponsored tour to Puerto Rico. Customs agents found marijuana in Webber's carry-on-bag. The NBA star was not charged with possession or smuggling, but he paid a $500 administrative penalty.

Webber, who was this season's rebounding champion, had a year and a half and $2.61 million left on the Fila deal.

"I am happy the arbitrators fully and fairly considered all of the evidence presented by my attorneys, Fallasha Erwin and Steven Levy, and ruled in my favor.

"I would like to put the matter behind me and move forward with my career," Webber said in a statement.