Sprinter Walter Dix, agent engaged in legal battle
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Olympic medalist sprinter Walter Dix is trying to end his contract with his agent.
The runner's lawyer, Jason Wolf, said Monday that agent Kimberly Holland and ICON Management have locked the sprinter into an unfair contract and won't let him out.
Dix claims the Atlanta-based agency has failed to obtain endorsements and appearances for him as promised.
ICON contends Dix has tried to enter meets using his brother, Washington Dix, as representation -- a claim the sprinter denies. Walter Dix's contract expires Dec. 23 and the dispute is in arbitration.
Dix holds the NCAA 200-meter record. He won bronze medals last summer at 100 and 200 meters at the Beijing Games.
He first sought to end the agreement with ICON in late 2008, but the company said the termination letter was "improperly worded," Wolf said.
Tony Mulrain, an Atlanta-based attorney who represents ICON, said Dix is actually the defendant in an ongoing arbitration for breach of contract for failing to pay the company a commission.
A suit filed by Dix's attorneys in Broward County in December was withdrawn Feb. 3, Mulrain said.
Wolf later filed a counterclaim, described as a "recapitulation" of charges in the original filing.
"ICON vehemently denies each and every claim," Mulrain said.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index
