Zion Williamson, family being sued for failing to pay back $1.8 million in loans

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Zion Williamson and his mother and stepfather are being sued for failing to pay $1.8 million in loans to a California-based tech company.

In the lawsuit, Ankr PBC said that it had loaned the New Orleans Pelicans star's family $2 million in September 2021 and had been expecting the money back by last August.

The company — which specializes in blockchain-related technologies used in finance and data storage — states in the lawsuit that it had hoped Williamson could serve as a spokesperson.

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Jan 2, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives against Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. (Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)

"Based on Williamson’s statements to Ankr, Ankr reasonably believed that Williamson's stepfather, Lee Anderson, possessed the authority to negotiate business arrangements for Williamson," the lawsuit stated.

The lawsuit states that Ankr also has helped Williamson with community events and identified a physical trainer and a personal chef for the player.

Ankr also alleges that Anderson told the company that "his family would suffer financial hardship, and Williamson would not enter into a business relationship with Ankr," if the loan were not made immediately. The lawsuit adds to the list of controversies Williamson has been involved with this offseason. 

Last April, Ankr and Anderson entered into a forbearance agreement in which the company agreed not to sue if it were to receive repayment of $500,000 by April 25 and the remainder by July 6, according to the lawsuit.

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