Williams sisters contract breach suit goes to jury

 

WEST PALM BEACH — Tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams and their father should be held liable for millions of dollars in a lawsuit alleging the sisters reneged on a deal to play in a 2001 match, an attorney for the would-be promoters said in closing arguments Wednesday.

Carol Clarke and Keith Rhodes, owners of a company called CCKR, allege that Richard Williams agreed to a contract to have his daughters play in a “Battle of the Sexes” match that never took place.

The dispute centers on whether Richard Williams had authority to commit his daughters. The promoters claim he represented himself as the sisters’ manager and negotiated the deal on their behalf. Venus and Serena Williams testified during the more than monthlong trial that only they have authority to approve contracts.

“We have the existence of a written contract in this case,” plaintiffs’ attorney John Romano told jurors. “It’s not a case of a verbal agreement over who said what.”

Despite the agreement with Richard Williams, the sisters’ attorney, F. Malcolm Cunningham, noted in his closing arguments that neither Venus nor Serena signed anything.

“The contract, or the letter, if you will, is signed by Richard Williams,” Cunningham told jurors. “The case, ladies and gentlemen, should end right there for Venus Williams and Serena Williams.”

Richard Williams has acknowledged drawing up terms of the contract, but he insists he told the promoters they would have to go through the IMG sports agency, which represents Venus and Serena, to complete any agreement. The promoters say he made no such disclaimer.