Monta Ellis finally addressed his offseason mo-ped accident Monday. In a statement released through his agent, the Warriors' guard took responsibility for his "mistake in judgment." But Ellis also is planning to file a grievance against the Warriors for "trying to have their cake and eat it, too," the Contra Costa Times, citing an anonymous source, reported:
In late July, Ellis signed a six-year, $66 million contract with the Warriors, making him the team's highest-paid player. In late August, he injured his ankle reportedly riding a moped, tearing his deltoid ligament. The injury required surgery, which will have him out until at least December.
At first Ellis told the Warriors that he sustained the injury working out in Jackson, Miss. He later confessed that he lied about how he got hurt and that he was injured participating in an activity prohibited under the uniform NBA player contract. The Warriors had the options of suspending Ellis, fining him or terminating his contract. They opted to suspend him. But president Robert Rowell said the team reserved the right to revisit the issue and possibly terminate the contract if Ellis doesn't fully recover from the ankle injury.
That's where Ellis has the problem, which will be aired in the form of an appeal, according to the source. He contends the Warriors' action amounts to double jeopardy.
"If they want to terminate the contract now then do so," the source said, "or if they want to impose a suspension, then do so (as they did with the 30 games). But they are trying to do both - suspend now and wait and see whether they want to terminate the contract in the future. That is what the grievance will be about."
• Source: Ellis set to file grievance against Warriors (Contra Costa Times)
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elllllis your a tool
rolter
Total Comments (110)
I have to agree w/Ellis on this....The player does have some rights also, if GS wants terminate the contract, then they have that right, but they can not have it both ways.
Dean
Total Comments (117)
yeah...either suspend the guy or terminate his deal..but you cant have both...wow...this dude pu 66 million dollars in jeopardy for a moped ride?...how fekken dumb is that?
Bone Malone
Los Angeles , CA
Total Comments (5975)
How does anybody know if the Warriors can't do both? Have you actually seen the contract? Has this issue already been litigated? It may well be they can do both. Maybe not.
otto1967
Jackson , MO
Total Comments (41)
terminate his contract!!
gi25
Total Comments (2)
How can you take the players side on this? Hes the one who screwed up, not the team. They should be able to sit back and do whatever they want since hes the one who broke rules in the contract and now has screwed the team for at least half the season.
No English?
Total Comments (703)
I agree with BYUcougar11 - Ellis broke his contract aggrement by participating in a sport he wasn't allowed to - therefore he deserve whatever he gets comign to him. Believe it or not...I love this guys a player - but rules are there for a reason.
babah
Brooklyn , NY
Total Comments (2)
They won't terminate his contract b/c he'll bolt to another team if they do...the Warriors will just remove the "revisit" wording from the agreement (if there is any agreement or such wording)...I honestly think Ellis didn't see riding a moped that big a deal (until he got hurt that is)...he'll sit out til December and get to back to playing when he's healthy (with GS)
bigicemike
Lewisville , TX
Total Comments (269)
He's missing work because of an injury that occurred during a specifically prohibited activity; he's not getting paid for the time he can't work because he made a dumb mistake. Life doesn't get much more fair than that, even for young sports millionaires with poor judgment. The fact is, Monta hasn't accomplished so much that he can push this ridiculous "I've been wronged" angle, especially if he can't regain his previous speed. He doesn't have the negotiating leverage, at least until he proves he can play again (at a level worth $11 mil/yr).
Cheers!
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Mano de Nada
San Jose , CA
Total Comments (85)
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