Former USC football star Reggie Bush was involved earlier and more deeply than previously reported in efforts to create a sports marketing agency that has been the focus of lingering controversy, according to lawyers for disgruntled partners in the failed venture.
The lawyers said it was Bush, along with his stepfather, LaMar Griffin, who proposed the agency as a way for the Heisman Trophy winner to avoid paying a percentage of his earnings to an established agent when he turned professional.
The NCAA and Pacific 10 Conference are investigating whether Bush violated rules of amateurism. If that is proved, USC could forfeit victories spanning two highly successful seasons and Bush could be forced to surrender his Heisman.
Attorney Brian Watkins said his client, Lloyd Lake, one of the agency's partners, planned to cooperate with collegiate investigators.
Watkins told The Times that Bush was present at several early meetings of the agency's founders and was active in pushing the idea of creating New Era Sports & Entertainment. Bush later introduced USC teammates to New Era backers Lake and Michael Michaels, the attorney said.
"But for him [Bush], this business venture wouldn't get off the ground," Watkins said. "What do you think? LaMar could never start a sports agency. He's a high school security guard. No one's going to get behind that business venture."
Jordan Cohen, who represents Michaels, called Bush "a founding member" of the sports agency, whose "presence would then attract additional athletes to sign with the firm." Bush and his stepfather wanted "to keep money within the family," Cohen said. "In order for that plan to work, they needed financing." All of the initial funding for New Era came from Michaels and Lake, the lawyers said.
The controversy erupted nearly a year ago after allegations from Michaels and Lake that they had provided cash to Bush's family, as well as a home for which the family had failed to pay more than $50,000 in rent, according to Watkins. The conflict became public after Bush had signed with another sports agent.
The former USC tailback, who signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints that reportedly could be worth up to $60 million, has repeatedly stated that neither he nor his family did anything wrong. People close to him contend that the young athlete and his parents might have been led astray by unscrupulous agents.
