WSJ: Kaepernick’s Lawyer Involved In Avenatti/Nike Extortion Case

Mark Geragos attempted to set up a meeting between the company and Avenatti.

Attorney Mark Geragos in 2014. (Photo byKevork DjansezianGetty Images)
Attorney Mark Geragos in 2014. (Photo byKevork DjansezianGetty Images)
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Though he hasn’t been charged in Michael Avenatti’s alleged plot to extort Nike for more than $20 million, Colin Kaepernick’s lawyer Mark Geragos has emerged as a key figure in the case, The Wall Street Journal reports.

According to The WSJ, Geragos tried to set up a meeting between the company and Avenatti, best known as the attorney for porn star Stormy Daniels.

Prosecutors allege Avenatti and Geragos, who helped broker a very successful deal between Kaepernick and Nike last year, attempted to arrange a deal where they would be paid at least $15 million to $25 million to conduct an “internal investigation.”

In the absence of such a deal, Avenatti threatened to reveal evidence Nike had authorized secret payments to high-school basketball players prior to this year’s NCAA tournament.

“Mr. Avenatti and Mr. Geragos wanted an answer immediately, according to the complaint,” The WSJ reports. “After a lawyer for Nike left a voice message for Mr. Geragos later in the day asking for more time, Mr. Geragos agreed to give them two more days. What they didn’t know was that Nike representatives contacted the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan regarding the demands.”

In a series of tweets on Tuesday, Avenatti said he was “anxious for people to see what really happened” and for the public to “learn the truth about Nike’s crime & coverup.”

Avenatti has been charged with extortion and conspiracy.

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