In a high-stakes lawsuit, former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson is suing NFL agent Chris Ellison, claiming he was not paid finder’s fees for bringing several active NFL players to Ellison’s agency. Johnson is requesting damages of about $1 million.
The legal dispute, officially filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on May 23, centers around an alleged player-agent agreement made years ago between Keyshawn Johnson and Chris Ellison. According to the Keyshawn Johnson lawsuit, the Super Bowl champion asserts that he played a central role in recruiting NFL players on Ellison’s behalf — a claim that, if proven true, could reshape how NFL agents disclose their third-party agreements.
Keyshawn Johnson Alleges Verbal Agreement for Commissions
In the court documents, Keyshawn states he was promised a portion of the 3% agent commission Ellison earns from players’ salaries. More specifically, he claims Ellison agreed to pay him one-third of the 3% commission for each player he successfully helped sign.
The total amount Keyshawn Johnson is suing for: $962,335.
Johnson’s role, as outlined in the lawsuit, was to “identify players, make the initial contact with them, and recruit them to be represented by” Chris Ellison. The suit was first reported by TMZ.
He claims that, based on this understanding, he successfully helped land four current NFL players under Ellison’s representation.
Players Named in the Lawsuit
The lawsuit directly names four NFL athletes allegedly recruited by Keyshawn Johnson:
- Mike Hughes, Cornerback, Atlanta Falcons
- Jaylon Johnson, Cornerback, Chicago Bears
- Romeo Doubs, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers
- Deommodore Lenoir, Cornerback, San Francisco 49ers
These are not just marginal players — each is an active contributor in their respective teams, further raising the stakes in what could be a landmark case for the NFL agent community.
Chris Ellison Denies the Allegations
In a statement to TMZ Sports, Chris Ellison firmly rejected the claims laid out in the Keyshawn Johnson lawsuit.
“Ellison told TMZ Sports he denies Johnson’s claims in this lawsuit.”
This strong denial opens the door to a contentious legal battle that may pull in not just both parties, but also NFL players and league regulators, depending on how the case unfolds.
NFLPA Rules Could Complicate Matters
A key angle in the legal tangle revolves around NFL Players Association (NFLPA) regulations. According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, if Johnson and Ellison did have a working agreement, Ellison would have been legally obligated to disclose it to both his clients and the NFLPA.
Failing to do so would not only violate agent conduct rules but could jeopardize Ellison’s standing as a certified NFL agent — especially if the four named players were unaware of the alleged deal.
Legal, Ethical, and Business Implications
The case touches on deeper issues in the NFL player-agent relationship model — particularly around non-disclosed agreements, finder’s fees, and the ethics of player recruitment. If Johnson’s claims are upheld in court, it could lead to increased scrutiny of agent practices and more stringent enforcement of NFLPA disclosure rules.
This lawsuit also opens a broader conversation about NFL agents’ responsibilities to remain transparent not only with their clients but also with any third-party collaborators. The inclusion of Los Angeles County Superior Court further elevates the lawsuit’s visibility, as California is home to many agents, athletes, and agencies navigating complex endorsement and representation deals.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just a private contract spat — it’s a case with topical authority that ties into ongoing discussions about power, transparency, and influence in the billion-dollar industry of NFL player representation. As Keyshawn Johnson, a respected former player and current media analyst, puts his name and reputation behind this legal battle, the sports world will watch closely.
Whether this ends in court or settles quietly, it raises critical questions:
- Should ex-players be compensated for brokering agency relationships?
- How many similar backdoor deals go unreported?
- Will this trigger a crackdown on non-disclosed recruitment commissions in the NFL?
With names like Jaylon Johnson, Romeo Doubs, Mike Hughes, and Deommodore Lenoir caught in the middle — the implications are as much about NFL news and contract ethics as they are about the courtroom.
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