HOUSTON – The courts have been called in to settle a dispute between two competing sports agencies. Select Sports Group (SSG) filed litigation against Impact Sports and have recently attempted to add defendants to the case. However, the defendants have filed a notice of removal, which was filed with the district court in Houston.
The dispute began in July 2014 when long-time Impact employee Sean Kiernan quit to go and work for SSG. He had been with the company more than 12 years.
Only weeks after Kiernan left, Impact sent a letter through its lawyer alleging Kiernan had a binding non-competition agreement that prevented him from any involvement with sports agencies for two years following his termination of employment with Impact. SSG requested proof of the documentation, according to court records, but they say Impact did not provide the evidence.
“Impact Sports thereafter sent additional correspondence to SSGI claiming that Kiernan was not only subject to an enforceable non-compete agreement with Impact Sports but that he also had certain duties and obligations to Impact Sports and certain third party creditors,” court documents said.
SSG filed litigation against Impact in August 2014.
The company has alleged Impact failed to produce documents supporting its allegations about Kiernan. They are expecting the lawsuit will force Impact to either submit the documents or to stop claiming they exist.
SSG wanted the court to declare that no agreements existed between Kiernan and Impact Sports that “would prevent Kiernan from working from SSG.”
SSG also argued there were no agreements between Impact Sports and third parties that affect Kiernan regarding finances. They are looking for a court to declare this and put a rest to the dispute with Impact.
When filing, the plaintiffs indicated they will be seeking more than $1 million.
The plaintiffs reside in Texans and California while the defendants live in Florida. The principal place of business for SGG has been Texas while Kiernan lives in California.
Kiernan has become and employee and owner of SSG.
SSG represents about 51 NFL clients, according to Forbes. Two of its top clients are tight end Brent Celek and quarterback Andy Dalton.
Impact has been in business for more than three decades, according to its website. They represent about 40 professional athletes the website says.