Lawyers representing the family of Naomi Osaka have demanded that a claim for $2 million by a former coach be dismissed due to its lack of validity.
Earlier this year, Christophe Jean filed a case to the court, claiming that he is owed money by Osaka’s family. Jean coached the world No.1 and her sister Mari during their teenage years. At the time he said he signed a one-page document with Osaka’s father. The document allegedly says that he is entitled to 20% of the prize money the Osaka sisters earn for an ‘indefinite period.’ In exchange he would give free coaching.
“I didn’t want to do this, but the last time I talked with Max (the nickname of Osaka’s father) he told me to go get a lawyer,” Jean told the Sun Sentinel in March. “So I got a lawyer.”
The Osaka family is being represented by high-profile lawyer Alex Spiro, who is known for getting NFL player Aaron Hernandez acquitted of double a double homicide in Boston. Spiro and his team have claimed that the deal Jean is referring to is invalid for two reasons. First of all it was agreed when both of the Osaka sisters were minors. Furthermore, they had no prior knowledge of the deal. In a document the attorney wrote “Florida does not permit child athletes to sign away their lifetime earnings during their infancy.” Osaka represents Japan, but is based in Boca Raton, Florida.
The filing also criticised the wording of the document. Arguing that it didn’t represent a binding contract under state law. It has also asked the court to not recognised Jean’s claim of $2 million because there was never a specific amount of financial agreement in the first place.
“Plaintiff’s facially defective pleadings must be dismissed in their entirety.” The motion reads. “Any other result would permit a fired coach to exploit two minors who never bargained for the invalid deal he seeks to enforce…The alleged contract is voidable under Florida law because the Osakas were minors when Plaintiff allegedly entered into the deal. As Plaintiff alleges, the Osakas have terminated it, which was their right.”
Osaka has been reluctant to comment about the legal case. Previously telling reporters that she is ‘not allowed to say anything.’
