Dickerson Files $12.5-Million Suit Against His Former Business Manager

Ram running back Eric Dickerson sued his former business manager and a management company for $12.5 million Monday, claiming they had not represented him adequately in contract negotiations and had mismanaged his money.

The lawsuit, filed in Superior Court by attorney Arn Tellem, seeks $2.5 million in general damages and $10 million in punitive damages.

Dickerson claims in the suit that he placed his trust in Jack Rodri and the Ken Norton Personal Management Agency, operated by Rodri, to advise him in contract negotiations with the Rams. He says Rodri told him in 1985 he could get him a new contract with the Rams that would make him the highest-paid player on the team, with a more than $1-million salary per season.

He claims Rodri encouraged him not to report for preseason training, not to play in exhibition games or participate in the regular season so he could obtain such a contract.

Dickerson also claims that Rodri failed to consider the running back’s overall financial obligations when making certain investments. The investments have created cash-flow and liquidity problems and have left him unable to meet his financial obligations, Dickerson said.