NBA star LaMelo Ball and his longtime manager are facing a lawsuit alleging they failed to pay more than $181,500 in rent on a luxury North Carolina apartment while racking up another $90,000 in homeowners association fines.
Not So Sweet Home
The complaint, filed in Mecklenburg County, names Ball and manager Jermaine Jackson as defendants and expands on a May 2026 lawsuit that alleged the pair owed $164,700 in unpaid rent on a luxury apartment that leased for $15,000 a month, according to USA Today.
Ball has a net worth of around $40 million, driven by salary earnings, endorsements, apparel launches, and licensing deals like his partnership with Puma valued at $100 million alone.
It was reported that in 2023 he signed a five-year rookie max extension with the Hornets reportedly worth up to $260 million.
Ball originally entered into a December 2020 lease agreement for two luxury apartments in The Trust building on South Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte for $15,000 per month, according to WBTV.
The apartments are located above Chima Steakhouse and were previously owned by former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton before becoming owned and managed by his family’s company, Agape Property Management, according to The Charlotte Observer.
Ball lived in one apartment while Jackson occupied the second: Ball subleased Unit 5B to Jackson, who has been Ball’s manager since high school, according to The Charlotte Observer.
Ball later purchased his own condominium for $2.47 million while continuing to lease the second unit for Jackson, according to USA Today reported.
Ball bought his unit in May 2024, but did not terminate the lease on Jackson’s apartment, allowing Jackson to continue living there, according to WBTV.
Agape contacted Ball and Jackson in February 2025 regarding increased rent and overdue payments, according to WBTV.
Ball did not respond, while Jackson agreed to pay $20,000 and vacate the apartment by April 15, 2025.
Jackson allegedly failed to move out, and the last payment was made in May 2025, according to WBTV.
Agape later sent a “pay rent or quit” notice in July 2025, but Jackson remained in the apartment.
Ball remained legally responsible for the lease after Jackson occupied the apartment, the claim states.
The complaint alleges that Ball and Jackson repeatedly failed to pay rent, fees, and HOA compliance fines despite repeated requests, according to WBTV.
“The Defendants’ failure to pay rent while failing to leave the premises has caused the Plaintiff substantial and potentially long-lasting harm including HOA non-compliance fines, lost rental income, and other monetary damages,” the lawsuit states, according to USA TODAY Sports.
Jackson previously argued that he stopped paying the increased $13,500 monthly rent because a leaking aquarium damaged the apartment, according to The Charlotte Observer.
Jackson continued paying the previous $7,500 monthly rate instead, according to The Charlotte Observer.
A judge ruled that photographs of the leak did not establish the apartment was uninhabitable.
The hometown newspaper also reported that a judge previously ordered Jackson’s eviction after Agape alleged he owed more than $280,000 in unpaid rent and HOA compliance fees.
Agape is seeking damages in excess of $25,000 at trial, in addition to court costs and attorney’s fees, according to WBTV.
The exact amount of damages would be determined during the litigation.
Corporate records list NJC Ventures as the registered agent for Agape Property Management, according to WBTV.
Cecil Newton is listed as NJC Ventures’ registered agent, while Cam Newton is listed as CEO and CFO, and his mother is listed as secretary, according to WBTV.
The lawsuit follows Ball after his offseason trade from the Charlotte Hornets, according to The Charlotte Observer.
Ball was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a four-team deal involving the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls.
The trade sent Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota in exchange for Naz Reid, a 2033 first-round pick, three second-round picks, and three future first-round pick swaps.
Ball recently settled a lawsuit brought by the family of a boy who alleged that Ball ran over his foot while driving away from the Spectrum Center after a scrimmage event, according to The Charlotte Observer.
