*Mr. Manion, NPC, Mr. Thompson and Nspire have also confirmed that all athletes, sponsors and promoters can compete and/or do business freely with NPC, Nspire, or any other amateur bodybuilding, fitness and physique organization without any negative repercussions or fear of retribution from Mr. Manion, NPC, Mr. Thompson and/or Nspire. – Here is where it gets very interesting. The ‘tortuous interference’ aspect of Thompson’s lawsuit against Manion was exactly just this and it appears that is a one-sided angle of the agreement. The NSL has not even hosted its first show (which will be on December 12), so at best, this is a preventive maintenance inclusion if you view it as being geared towards Thompson.
But for the NPC and Manion, on the other hand, it definitely looks as if this is an admission of guilt. Before you say that we’re jumping to conclusions, take into consideration a memo sent out by Manion to the NPC district chairpersons that instructs them not to “intimidate, threaten, punish, harass and/or coerce Lee Thompson’s and/or Nspire’s current and/or prosepective [sic] athletes, members, customers, sponsors, vendors, family members and/or business partners as a result of those individuals or entities doing business with or considering doing business with Mr. Thompson and/or Nspire. Nor shall any District Chairperson disparage Mr. Thompson, his family members and/or Nspire. Your complete cooperation is required.”
Why would the head of an organization – and the one ultimately responsible for the actions of his subordinates – need to spell this out when that type of behavior should never be tolerated to begin with?
When there is a lawsuit slapped on someone and then they announce that an agreement has been made to drop said suit, we can speculate as to the reasons why. But when the exact same behavior as the allegations stated is quickly spelled out in a memo distributed on one side, the court of public opinion has the burden of proof for a conviction.
