Mayo’s former agent suspended
The NBA Players Assn. announced Friday that its disciplinary committee had suspended agent Calvin Andrews for one year after discovering unspecified recruiting improprieties regarding former USC basketball star O.J. Mayo.
The disciplinary committee also reserved the right to take further action against Andrews and other agents found to have engaged in any wrongdoing by other agencies investigating allegations that Andrews funneled money to Mayo through an intermediary before and during his one year at USC. The allegations have prompted probes by the NCAA, Pacific 10 Conference, FBI, Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Attorney’s office.
Andrews, a senior vice president with Walnut Creek-based Bill Duffy Associates Sports Management, briefly represented Mayo last spring before the parties severed ties in the wake of charges by a former confidant of Mayo that BDA provided about $250,000 in cash and gifts to Rodney Guillory, an L.A. events promoter who funneled an estimated $30,000 of that to Mayo beginning when he was a high school standout in Huntington, W.Va. Mayo, who has denied any wrongdoing, is now represented by Leon Rose.
“Calvin Andrews cooperated fully with the NBPA’s inquiry,” BDA Sports Chairman Bill Duffy said in a statement. “Calvin is my friend and I know him to be a good man who always puts his clients’ best interests first.”
The NBPA release said it concluded there was insufficient evidence to establish that other agents were involved in any recruiting misconduct related to Mayo. The players’ association forbids agents from providing money or other benefits to college athletes or anyone who could influence an athlete’s choice of agents.
“While saddened by the news regarding Calvin, I am pleased that the NBPA has found no evidence of any improper activity by any other BDA Sports personnel in this matter,” Duffy said. “BDA Sports will continue doing what it does best: getting the best results possible for our clients when it comes to contracts, endorsements, marketing and other opportunities, which is why BDA continues to expand the number of players it represents.”
Mayo, who was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies after being selected third overall in the NBA draft, could not be reached for comment.
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