Manny Pacquiao wins in legal case vs Conor McGregor’s Paradigm Sports Management

Manny Pacquiao has won his legal battle against Paradigm Sports Management, overturning the original ruling that required him to pay the company $5.1 million in 2023.

A California court has ruled that the contract between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Paradigm Sports Management is void, concluding a three-year legal dispute between the two parties.

The decision, issued by Judge Walter Schwarm of the Superior Court of the State of California on August 12, 2024, declared the contract “illegal” due to Paradigm’s lack of a proper manager’s license under California law.

The legal tussle began when Pacquiao signed with Paradigm in February 2020, saying they had an exclusive deal to negotiate his fights. Pacquiao, however, allegedly entered into a secret agreement with TGB Promotions and allowed Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao (MP) Promotions, to represent him in negotiations.

Pacquiao was initially scheduled to fight Paradigm Sports Management stablemate Conor McGregor. However, the bout did not take place. Ultimately, Pacquiao fought Yordenis Ugas for his last fight in the professional ranks.

Paradigm stated that Pacquiao breached their contract since Pacquiao allegedly negotiated fights without their approval. This led Paradigm to file a breach of contract lawsuit against the Pinoy boxer, claiming $8 million in damages.

In May 2023, a California jury ruled against Pacquiao, ordering him to pay $5.1 million to Paradigm. The amount included $3.3 million for breach of contract and $1.8 million for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

However, Pacquiao’s legal team countered by filing a motion arguing that Paradigm was not properly licensed to manage boxers in California.

Judge Schwarm’s decision validated this argument. An August 18 report published by the Philippine Star indicates that Paradigm’s CEO, Audie Attar, admitted in court that neither he nor anyone at Paradigm held a manager’s license for boxers in California during the years 2019 through 2021.

The court also referenced a certificate of non-licensure from the California State Athletic Commission, confirming that Attar’s license had expired in 2017 due to a failure to renew.

“The court finds for Mr. Pacquiao on the declaratory relief cause of action and declares the contract void due to illegality,” the August 12, 2024 decision read, effectively overturning the jury’s previous ruling.

Pacquiao’s lawyer, Atty. Jason Aniel, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing that the court’s decision “negates the jury’s findings back in May of 2023.” He thanked the court for its diligence and acknowledged Pacquiao’s fans for their patience as the legal issues were fully resolved.

MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons also welcomed the decision, stating, “Manny Pacquiao has finally proven innocent. He did nothing wrong as the Superior Court of California has already announced its final statement of decision declaring that the contract offered by Paradigm was void due to illegality.”

Read related article: Pacquiao Loses Case, Ordered to Pay $5M