NBA Free Agent Malik Beasley Ordered to Pay $1 Million to Former Agency
Malik Beasley, an NBA free agent currently playing for a Puerto Rican basketball team owned by recording artist Bad Bunny, has been ordered by a federal judge to pay $1 million in damages to his former agency, Hazan Sports Management. The ruling comes after the agency sued Beasley over unpaid debts and alleged contract violations.
Federal Judge Issues Damages Ruling
Jeannette A. Vargas, a federal judge in the Southern District of New York, found Beasley liable for the substantial sum after determining he had failed to challenge her findings or request extensions. "No objections have been filed," the judge noted in her ruling, which gave Beasley an opportunity to contest the decision. Beasley currently has no listed attorney representing him in this matter.
Neither Daniel Hazan of Hazan Sports Management nor his attorney responded to requests for comment from the Daily Mail on Thursday night. ESPN, which first reported the ruling, attempted to contact Beasley but the person who answered the phone hung up when asked for comment.
Contract Violations and Unpaid Advances
According to the federal lawsuit, Beasley split from Hazan Sports Management approximately one year ago while owing the firm $650,000 from a marketing advance. The complaint alleges that Beasley subsequently engaged Brian Jungreis and Seros Partners to serve as both his on-court agent and marketing agent, which represented a clear violation of the exclusivity provisions in his marketing agreement with HSM.
"In the ensuing weeks following Beasley's termination, HSM made several attempts to collect the full amount of the Marketing Advance but received little more than drips and drabs of sporadic payments and vague promises to repay the balance over time," the complaint stated.
Background of Legal and Financial Troubles
Beasley's current legal troubles come amid broader financial and professional challenges. The Detroit Pistons, for whom he played last season, pulled a three-year $42 million contract offer when Beasley's name surfaced in a federal gambling investigation that ensnared former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter. While Beasley has not been charged with any federal crime and is reportedly no longer a target of that investigation, the damage to his career prospects was already done.
Last month, Beasley signed with Puerto Rico's Santurce Crabbers, a basketball team owned by noted basketball fan Bad Bunny, after going unsigned in the NBA.
History of Financial Judgments
This $1 million judgment is not Beasley's first significant legal financial obligation:
- In 2022, Beasley lost a $5.8 million judgment to a lender, though the reason for the loan remains unclear
- Court records show Beasley pledged his current and future NBA earnings to a Florida firm to obtain a loan
- He was sued by his downtown Detroit landlord for allegedly failing to pay $7,355 in back rent
- A Milwaukee barber won a $26,827 judgment against Beasley in January
- That same month, Beasley lost a $34,390 default judgment to a Minnesota dentist, with court records from February showing some of his paychecks being garnished to pay this debt
Beasley comes from a family with entertainment industry connections. He is the son of actors Michael and Deena Beasley, and his grandfather, John Beasley, is a veteran stage performer who appeared in films including Rudy, Little Big League, and The Mighty Ducks.
