Executive Director of the NBA, Billy Hunter, had to fire his family members after many in the association believed having them aboard was unfair and questioned the hiring.
Hunter brought his daughter Robyn and daughter-in-law Megan Ibana along for the ride giving them jobs in the NBA Players Association. Hunter expressed his reasoning for their firing in a letter exactly a week ago to the union's committee.
"Hopefully this decision will alleviate any concerns raised by their employment," Hunter wrote. "These measures are being taken although the report noted that both of them were highly qualified, not overpaid, and were contributing members of the NBPA staff."
So what was wrong with hiring family members?
A damaged union.
"The appearance of favoritism has damaged the union. Mr. Hunter's pattern of involving friends and family in union business contributed to a deep rift among the NBPA staff," read a report by the firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, adding that Hunter's choices "created the appearance that he operated the union in part for the benefit of his family and friends."
The best news for Hunter, there's always a bright side, is that he wasn't found guilty of any fraud or misuse of union funds. The ladies were payed adequately and Hunter is free of any charges of criminal activity. He's been running the union since 1996 and makes $3 million a year.
Hunter is geared to spend more time in the union as he has built great relationships with a lot of the players in the NBA.
However, his daughter was fired on Jan. 25 and his sister-in-law will be working until midseason, Feb. 17, following the conclusion of the All-Star Break since she will be helping in Houston.
