THE SIDELINES : Court Refuses $1-Million Award
The U.S. Supreme Court today refused to reinstate an award of nearly $1 million won, then lost, by former professional basketball player Ron Behagen against an amateur basketball group. The court, without comment, let stand a ruling that threw out Behagen’s award.
Behagen, who sells insurance in the Atlanta area, has been battling in federal court since 1982 with the Amateur Basketball Assn. of the United States and its executive director, William Wall. The organization is now known as USA Basketball.
Behagen said the association violated federal antitrust law and his constitutional rights by playing a pivotal role in ending his career with a Sienna, Italy, team after he left the National Basketball Assn.
A federal jury in Denver agreed and awarded him $684,000. A federal judge tacked on $180,476 in attorney’s fees and court costs, plus interest.
But the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the award, prompting Behagen’s appeal to the high court.
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