Post by 50yardfan on May 4, 2011 11:10:56 GMT -5
www.thetimesherald.com/article/20110504/SPORTS/105040325/Joseph-Hayes-Rachel-Brusate-s-trouble-isn-t-over
The Port Huron Predators' season ended prematurely, but there remain several matters that have yet to be resolved.
From the very beginning, Predators owner Rachael Brusate struggled with the organizational aspects of running a football team.
Now her business decisions could haunt her for the foreseeable future.
Former employees, players and coaches are in the process of challenging Brusate in court.
It's hardly a secret Brusate owes money to several parties for various reasons. But it's alarming just how many people are now coming forward claiming she has wronged them in some way.
Walking out on the team and ending the season early could very well turn into an enormous headache for Brusate.
Several former employees have written agreements they say Brusate has failed to honor.
Some of them are seeking legal options; others say the amount of money they are owed isn't enough to merit the cost of paying a lawyer.
Before the season even began, there were rumors the Predators had squandered much of the money they received from sponsors.
Those sponsors won't be happy the season ended four games early.
Nearly every member of the Predators coaching staff is owed something, including former head coaches Doug Warren and Jason Lovelock.
Former director of operations Julie Crankshaw is seeking legal action against Brusate for money she said she is owed.
A good percentage of the players hadn't been paid for several weeks when the season ended abruptly, and -- even more troubling -- some players have undergone expensive surgeries and are facing medical bills because the team lacked insurance.
Take for instance the case of former Michigan State University defensive lineman Eze Ejelonu.
While with the Predators, Ejelonu suffered a severe concussion. He was carted off the field and had a lengthy stay in the hospital.
While recovering, he expected his medical bills would be taken care of.
But he was shocked when he received an enormous medical bill and consequently found out Brusate didn't have insurance for the team at the time of his injury.
"A lot of players are angry," Ejelonu said. "I have a bill for $15,000 because I didn't get workers' compensation.
"I contacted her and asked her how we could work it out, if she could make payments or anything, and she basically said, 'Screw me, good luck with your lawsuit.'"
Obviously, that didn't sit well with Ejelonu.
"It's like a slap in the face," he said. "She didn't have workers' compensation until two weeks after I received the bill. She has to live with the consequences of her irresponsibility."
Maybe Brusate thinks she will escape the responsibilities she had as the Predators owner.
But she will likely come to the realization that the games are far from over -- actually, they have just begun.
The Port Huron Predators' season ended prematurely, but there remain several matters that have yet to be resolved.
From the very beginning, Predators owner Rachael Brusate struggled with the organizational aspects of running a football team.
Now her business decisions could haunt her for the foreseeable future.
Former employees, players and coaches are in the process of challenging Brusate in court.
It's hardly a secret Brusate owes money to several parties for various reasons. But it's alarming just how many people are now coming forward claiming she has wronged them in some way.
Walking out on the team and ending the season early could very well turn into an enormous headache for Brusate.
Several former employees have written agreements they say Brusate has failed to honor.
Some of them are seeking legal options; others say the amount of money they are owed isn't enough to merit the cost of paying a lawyer.
Before the season even began, there were rumors the Predators had squandered much of the money they received from sponsors.
Those sponsors won't be happy the season ended four games early.
Nearly every member of the Predators coaching staff is owed something, including former head coaches Doug Warren and Jason Lovelock.
Former director of operations Julie Crankshaw is seeking legal action against Brusate for money she said she is owed.
A good percentage of the players hadn't been paid for several weeks when the season ended abruptly, and -- even more troubling -- some players have undergone expensive surgeries and are facing medical bills because the team lacked insurance.
Take for instance the case of former Michigan State University defensive lineman Eze Ejelonu.
While with the Predators, Ejelonu suffered a severe concussion. He was carted off the field and had a lengthy stay in the hospital.
While recovering, he expected his medical bills would be taken care of.
But he was shocked when he received an enormous medical bill and consequently found out Brusate didn't have insurance for the team at the time of his injury.
"A lot of players are angry," Ejelonu said. "I have a bill for $15,000 because I didn't get workers' compensation.
"I contacted her and asked her how we could work it out, if she could make payments or anything, and she basically said, 'Screw me, good luck with your lawsuit.'"
Obviously, that didn't sit well with Ejelonu.
"It's like a slap in the face," he said. "She didn't have workers' compensation until two weeks after I received the bill. She has to live with the consequences of her irresponsibility."
Maybe Brusate thinks she will escape the responsibilities she had as the Predators owner.
But she will likely come to the realization that the games are far from over -- actually, they have just begun.