Commenter Stu normally uses this space every Thursday to hunt down a former Minnesota sports figure. Instead, this week, he's using it to call attention to the financial woes of THREE former Minnesota sports figures. Stu? --------
Three athletes with Minnesota connections have made headlines recently with their financial troubles.
Antoine Walker, former Timberwolf and current Idaho Stampeder, is the subject of this excellent Chris Ballard profile in Sports Illustrated. Walker has long had financial issues, and is currently playing for less than $25,000/year and sharing a 2-bedroom apartment in Boise. Christian Laettner, another former Timberwolf and self-proclaimed winner, is named in multiple lawsuits seeking repayment on loans in failed real estate ventures. The amount being sought, per this Wall Street Journal story, is believed to be in the $30 million range. He is currently an assistant coach for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. The Germans have a word for this. Finally, the Strib's Jennifer Bjorhus covers the plight of Stu Voigt, former Vikings tight end and radio color commentator, in today's paper. Voigt, already accused of securities fraud (one of the accusers is former teammate Ron Yary), is now the subject of a federal investigation. Question: did you ever think that the Notorious B.I.G. hit "Mo Money Mo Problems" would be so prescient? And whatever happened to Mase?
