Tony Finau lawsuits: One dismissed while awaiting trial on the other

Hours before defending his title at the 2024 Mexico Open in Vidanta, Tony Finau received news that one of his two pending lawsuits had been dismissed by an appeals court. The other, however, is scheduled for trial by the end of the year.

The dismissed lawsuit is the one filed by Mr. David Hunter in 2021 alleging breach of contract by Tony Finau, his brother Gipper and his father Kelepi. Mr. Hunter was the owner of ICON Sports and alleges that he financially supported Tony Finau’s early career in 2007 by investing in the Finau Corporation, an entity that was dissolved in 2009, long before Tony Finau achieved prominence in professional golf.

The Utah 4th District Court judge who dismissed the case in the first instance did so on the grounds that the statute of limitations for a breach of contract claim had expired by the time the lawsuit was filed. Mr. Hunter’s legal team appealed the decision to the Utah Court of Appeals, and the decision was released this week.

Appellate Judge Ryan Tenney, who heard the appeal, argued that Mr. Hunter and his legal team failed to show what the trial judge’s error was. Here’s what he said (via Fox 13 Now):

“In his brief, Hunter made no separate arguments regarding the court’s dismissal… instead focusing his challenge on the court’s decision to dismiss his claims…,In a few places in his opening and reply briefs, however, Hunter did more broadly request reversal of the ‘dismissal of [his] complaint’ without qualification.”

Tony Finau goes to trial in October

Although this lawsuit has been dismissed, Tony Finau’s legal troubles are not over. The player is scheduled to appear in a jury trial to decide another lawsuit, this one filed by Mr. Molonai Hola.

Mr. Hola claims that Finau owes him $16 million for unpaid loans and win percentages. This lawsuit dates back to 2020 and two of his claims have already been dismissed. However, the third remaining claim will go to trial starting October 2.

Judge James Brady of the 4th Judicial District Court of Utah has scheduled an eight-day trial to decide this case.

Tony Finau won his first PGA Tour event in 2015. Since then, he has won five more tournaments at that level and has earned more than $38 million for his professional golf earnings.