Clippers Respond to Former Coach’s Lawsuit with Strong Denial
In a dramatic turn of events, the LA Clippers have found themselves embroiled in a legal battle with a former strength and conditioning coach, Randy Shelton. According to a court filing obtained by ESPN, the Clippers claim that Shelton demanded millions of dollars from the team before filing a wrongful termination lawsuit in October. The lawsuit also includes serious allegations of tampering involving Kawhi Leonard.
Shelton, who was dismissed by the team last summer, has accused the Clippers and their president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, of retaliating against him for raising concerns about the management of Leonard’s injuries. The Clippers, however, have a different story to tell. They assert that Shelton’s claims are baseless and that he is seeking attention by portraying himself as a crusader.
Arbitration Request
In a filing submitted to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the Clippers have requested that the dispute be resolved through arbitration, as stipulated in Shelton’s employment contract signed in November 2021. The team maintains that they fulfilled their obligations by paying Shelton’s salary through the end of his contract in June 2024, following his termination in July 2023.
“That should have been the end of the matter,” the Clippers stated in their response. “But [Shelton] misperceived himself as a crusader and wanted attention. After cashing the last of the Clippers’ checks, he demanded that the Clippers pay him millions of dollars for the imagined wrongs asserted in his complaint. When the team refused, he sued.”
Allegations and Counterclaims
Shelton, who joined the Clippers after working with Leonard at San Diego State, claims that he was part of a long-term strategy to recruit Leonard. He alleges that the Clippers engaged in actions that went “well beyond the bounds of the NBA constitution” regarding potential tampering violations. Furthermore, Shelton criticizes the team’s handling of Leonard’s injury and return-to-play protocol, describing it as “mind-blowing” and “unacceptable.”
In response, the Clippers’ attorneys have sought to “correct the record” against Shelton’s accusations, which include claims of “illegal treatment” provided to Leonard. The team’s response firmly states, “[Shelton’s] claims are frivolous: There was no ‘tampering’ before the Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers did not provide ‘illegal treatment’ to Mr. Leonard. And [Shelton] was not terminated in ‘retaliation’ for anything. The Court should not be fooled.”
Dispute Over Role and Conduct
Shelton contends that after voicing his concerns, his role within the team was marginalized, and he was excluded from meetings and denied access to information about Leonard’s health. The Clippers, however, argue that Shelton failed to perform his duties and overstepped his boundaries by offering unsolicited advice and recommending medical procedures without proper qualifications or consultation.
- Shelton allegedly recommended medical procedures like blood-flow restriction without medical training.
- The Clippers claim his actions disrupted relationships between players, trainers, and the team.
- Shelton is accused of using his former association with the team to start a physical therapy business while still being paid by the Clippers.
The Clippers assert that Shelton owes them the money he received after his termination, as he was simultaneously charging others in his new business venture.
Legal Battle Continues
Anthony Nguyen, one of Shelton’s attorneys, argues that the Clippers are attempting to conceal their organizational issues by moving the case to arbitration. “In demanding that this dispute be settled by arbitration, the Clippers are attempting to sweep the organizational problems highlighted by our client under the rug by taking the case out of the public eye and into a forum that precludes access for all to see,” Nguyen stated.
Nguyen further emphasized, “We will of course fight their attempt to do so as we believe everyone should have access to the issues uncovered in this case, and find it questionable that the Clippers, despite arguing that our client’s claims are supposedly frivolous, want to prevent public access to the litigation of this case. We believe that this matter should not be hidden from the public nor from fans.”
Originally Written by: Baxter Holmes
