Make sure your manager’s license is filed, paid for, and up to date, kids. Otherwise you too could find yourself out several million dollars in a failed deal with a boxing legend.
That’s what’s happened in the case of Conor McGregor’s Paradigm Sports Management company and Manny Pacquiao, who have been embroiled in a bitter lawsuit since 2020. Paradigm paid Pacquiao a $3.3 million dollar advance when they signed the aging boxer to a deal, only for “Pac-Man” to keep the money, walk away from the deal, and continue organizing his own fights.
An initial court decision went Paradigm’s way to the tune of $5 million, but a more recent filing on August 12th from State of California Superior Court judge Walter Schwarm reversed that, dubbing the deal ‘illegal.’
The ruling hinged on Paradigm manager Audie Attar not having a manager’s license in the state of California during a key period between 2019 and 2021. Whoops.
“The court finds for Mr. Pacquiao on the declaratory relief cause of action and declares the contract void due to illegality,” the court decision read.
“This decision negates the jury’s findings back in May of 2023,” Pacquiao’s lawyer Jason Aniel wrote in a statement (via the Philadelphia Star). “We thank the court’s time and effort in this matter. Mr. Pacquiao thanks his fans for their patience while the court fully resolved all the legal issues.”
Manny Pacquiao has fought three times since the lawsuit was brought against him: he suffered a decision loss boxing Yordenis Ugas in November 2021, and fought two exhibition bouts in South Korea and Japan respectively. His most recent bout, a custom rules affair against kickboxer Rukiya Anpo, saw Manny get picked apart by his much larger opponent at Super Rizin 3. Due to the specific ruleset, the bout was declared a draw.
What the future holds for Pacquiao is uncertain, but Paradigm part-owner Conor McGregor has expressed interest in fighting the Filipino boxer in Saudi Arabia, and so has Manny’s (legal) management team. So perhaps we could get one more round of Pacquiao vs. Paradigm, sorted out in the ring instead of a courtroom.
But first McGregor needs to get two more fights out of the UFC, fights the promotion is in no rush to deliver.