Official in dispute over contract with indoor football league

It's going to take more than a referee to settle a dispute between a Jefferson County man and the National Indoor Football League.

Beau Hicks was hired in April 2006 to recruit, train and supervise qualified game officials for the football games of the National Indoor Football League. Hicks says he fully performed the obligations of his contract, but has not been fully paid for his work.

Hicks filed a lawsuit against the National Indoor Football League on May 25 in the Jefferson County district courts.

On April 5, 2007, plaintiff's attorney Chris Porter of Reaud, Morgan & Quinn of Beaumont gave written notice to the NIFL, making demand for payment to Hicks of $10,715.

According to the plaintiff's original petition, "Defendant failed and refused to pay the amount under the contract" and therefore is in breach of contract.

The plaintiff now seeks not only the original amount due under the contract, but compensation for attorney services and court costs, not to exceed $75,000 and requests a trial b by jury.

The case has been assigned to the 136th District Court, Judge Milton Shuffield presiding.

Case No. D179-375