Clipper news: Former GM/coach Mike Dunleavy wins big in arbitration case

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An arbitrator has awarded former Clippers general manager and coach Mike Dunleavy slightly more than $13 million in compensation.

The Clippers had quit paying Dunleavy immediately after firing him last year, on March 8, and he was forced to take the organization to binding arbitration. He had been owed $6.75 million on the contract, $1.35 million for the remainder of the 2009-10 season and $5.4 million for the season just completed.

His case was finally heard almost two months ago before the Arbitration and Mediation Services in Santa Monica. Additional briefs were filed by both sides afterward.

The Clippers and Dunleavy’s legal representatives did not, however, receive the decision until Friday. The award was for everything Dunleavy was owed under his contract, past compensation with interest and future compensation, according to those familiar with the ruling but not authorized to comment.

The award also factored in deferred compensation from Dunleavy’s tenure with the Clippers.

Later in the afternoon, Clippers general counsel Robert Platt issued a statement through the Clippers, saying: ‘We do not agree
with the arbitrator’s decision. We intend to review the decision carefully and explore the team’s
various options.’

--Lisa Dillman