NBA Star Jimmy Butler Faces $257,282 Lawsuit Over Claims of Lease Violations and Property Damage

Basketball player Jimmy Butler is making headlines after a legal battle over a luxury Miami Beach rental property has hit the news. The star is being sued for over a quarter million dollars in lease violations and property damage.

A company called Five Star Marketing and Promotions, Inc. has filed a lawsuit against the Golden State Warriors forward in the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County, Florida, alleging breach of contract related to the $10 million estate.

According to court documents, obtained by Local 10, Butler signed a lease agreement on Aug. 10, 2022, for the property at 520 Lakeview Court in Miami Beach. The lease expired on Aug. 10, 2024, but Butler allegedly remained in the home without renewing the lease.

Five Star is citing a particular clause of the lease, which states that unauthorized occupation after expiration incurs double the specified rent. As a result, Butler was required to pay $130,000 on Aug. 11, 2024, and another $130,000 on Sept. 11, 2024. The lawsuit claims he failed to make these payments, leaving a total of $260,000 in unpaid rent.

Beyond rent obligations, Five Star alleges Butler neglected property maintenance and caused significant damage.

The company argues that the lease makes tenants responsible for any maintenance issues stemming from misuse, neglect, or waste.

Furthermore, the lawsuit specifically accuses Butler’s chief of staff of blocking access to the property for HVAC maintenance and alleges that Butler changed the locks without providing the landlord a key, a move that violated a clause in the lease which grants the landlord an “unqualified right to enter the Premises at all times for the protection or preservation of the Premises.”

The complaint lists extensive damage, including an unmaintained pool with algae accumulation that damaged pumps, blocked air conditioning condensation lines leading to severe ceiling leaks, and mold growth throughout the home.

Water damage to hardwood floors allegedly caused buckling, while other necessary repairs include mold remediation, drywall and flooring replacements, elevator door repairs, and HVAC system restoration.

According to the lawsuit, Five Star estimates the total cost of repairs at $127,282, breaking down expenses as follows: $36,500 for mold remediation, $37,250 for drywall and flooring labor, $8,650 for flooring materials, $28,500 for elevator door repairs, $3,700 for pool and pump repairs, and $12,682 for HVAC system work.

The claim further states that Butler vacated the property only after receiving a demand letter from Five Star outlining the damages but has refused to pay for the repairs. The company applied Butler’s $130,000 security deposit toward mitigation of damages but is still seeking a judgment for $257,282, plus prejudgment interest, attorney’s fees, and other costs.

The luxury property at the center of the dispute is a 5,398-square-foot, five-bedroom, six-bathroom contemporary-style home built in 2016. Situated on a canal, the estate features a pool and high-end amenities.

The lawsuit comes at a pivotal moment in Butler’s career — he was traded from the Miami Heat to the Golden State Warriors in early February after requesting a trade amid organizational tensions, Reuters reports.

Spotrac reports that he signed a two-year, $110.96 million contract with the Golden State Warriors.

The issues around the lawsuit seem not to be about lack of money on his side.

This case underscores the financial and legal complexities professional athletes often face when relocating. With NBA players earning an average salary exceeding $10 million annually, disputes over high-end real estate — while significant — are often just a fraction of a player’s broader financial picture.

As of now, no court date has been set, and Butler has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.