The Globe has an expose on the financial troubles facing former Celtics star Antoine Walker. The Cliffs Notes version: Walker likely squandered most of his $110 million fortune.
Aside from the extravagant lifestyle; homes, cars, custom suits, watches, etc, Walker also supported 70 friends and family members. Former teammates say 'Toine always took care of them, paying for limos and the biggest dinner bills.
Not only does Walker owe casinos, he also owes money to several credit card companies. He authorized five people to make charges on his card. Five? I have a hard time give my wife authorization. And there are the failed business ventures.
Sadly, Antoine is going to be the poster child for future NBA stars on what-not-to-do.
Here are some excerpts from the article. Some of this stuff is mind boggling:
Celtics season, Walker turned the pavement surrounding his home into a
virtual luxury car lot – two Bentleys, two Mercedes, a Range Rover, a
Cadillac Escalade, a bright red Hummer. Often, the vehicles were
tricked out with custom paint jobs, rims, and sound systems at
considerable added expense. He also collected top-line watches –
Rolexes and diamond-encrusted Cartiers.…
Then, there were the custom-tailored suits – closets full of them,
including the set he ordered for his first playoff run in 2002, enough
so he wouldn’t wear a suit more than once during the postseason run.
When the Celtics officially hired Jim O’Brien as head coach in 2001,
Walker had his tailor make three suits and presented them to O’Brien…
After a 2001 exhibition game at Mohegan Sun, Walker once reportedly
played $15,000 hands with Michael Jordan during an all-night gambling
session where estimates of money lost and won totaled several hundred
thousand dollars. Prior to the 2003-04 season, when Celtics general
manager Danny Ainge called Walker to tell him he had been traded,
Walker was engrossed in a high-stakes blackjack game at Mohegan Sun.
Walker is trying to latch on to an NBA team, but a contract doesn't appear likely. There's also speculation he'll sign overseas.
Love him or hate him, this guy brought energy and sizzle to the Celtics during its darkest days. For that, I will always be grateful. I hope he gets his life in order.
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