Bias’ Family Seeking $28 Million in Damages

The family of Len Bias filed suit Thursday, a day before the anniversary of the University of Maryland basketball star’s death, seeking about $28 million in damages from Bias’ agent, an insurance company and the Reebok shoe company.

The suit was filed in District of Columbia Superior Court by James Bias, Len Bias’ father, in the name of his son’s estate, charging that many of the people who were constructing Bias’ imminent professional basketball career had failed to live up to financial obligations since his death.

Bias, 22, died of cocaine intoxication June 19, 1986, while celebrating his selection by the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Assn. draft two days earlier.

The suit named Advantage International, which represented Bias; agent Lee Fentress; Fidelity Security Life Insurance Co., which the suit claims reneged on a $1-million disability and accidental death policy, and Reebok International Ltd. of Canton, Mass., which allegedly reneged on an unwritten $1.6-million endorsement contract.

“He clearly was not treated fairly and duties owed to him have not been satisfied,” family attorney Wayne Curry said of Len Bias.