Duke Investigating Michael Avenatti Claim Nike Bribed Zion Williamson Mother

LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT) — Michael Avenatti has dragged Duke basketball star, Zion Williamson, into his Nike bribery allegations suggesting the company paid the baller’s mom to get him to go to Duke.

Avenatti tweeted out the accusation Friday night, writing … “@DukeMBB – About this denial by Coach K the other day relating to payments by Nike…Can you please ask Zion Williamson’s mother – Sharonda Sampson – whether she was paid by @nike for bogus ‘consulting services’ in 2016/2017 as part of a Nike bribe to get Zion to go to Duke? Thx.”

@MichaelAvenatti: @DukeMBB – About this denial by Coach K the other day relating to payments by Nike…Can you please ask Zion Williamson’s mother – Sharonda Sampson – whether she was paid by @nike for bogus “consulting services” in 2016/17 as part of a Nike bribe to get Zion to go to Duke? Thx.

The celeb attorney elaborated on his insinuation by saying in a follow-up tweet, “I almost forgot – long day – @DukeMBB can you also have your close friends at @Nike check their Nike Vendor Portal for payments to “Sharonda Sampson Consulting”. Just search 2016 to the present. Appreciate it.” He didn’t specify how much Nike allegedly paid her.

Avenatti went on to release a document dump of bank statements and memos on Saturday that he claims outlines Nike’s alleged payments to high school basketball stars. Interestingly enough, alleged payments to Zion’s mom are not included in the attachment.

@MichaelAvenatti: Here is a link to only SOME of the evidence showing Nike bribed players to attend “Nike” colleges. This evidence is now in the hands of law enforcement. Nike bribed over 100 players as part of their scheme and purposely hid the payments from the NCAA & fed investigators…

@MichaelAvenatti: Nike should be criminally indicted on well over 200 counts and should also explain why they misled their investors/the SEC. If I’m lying or the docs are not legit, I challenge @nike to issue a stmt claiming no bribes were ever paid. Just Do It Nike!

Nonetheless, Duke Basketball is clearly taking the allegation seriously, as they issued a statement Saturday saying they were aware of Avenatti’s claim and were “looking into it” while also adding, “Duke is fully committed to compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations,” report TMZ.