Baker Mayfield calls petition over missing $12 million ‘a long time coming’

TAMPA ― For the second year in a row, the Bucs’ starting quarterback will begin the season weighed down by some serious, unresolved family issues.

On the second day of training camp last season, Tom Brady was served divorce papers from his wife of 13 years, model Gisele Bündchen. He returned after an 11-day excused absence having lost significant weight, and the Bucs stumbled to a 3-5 start that resulted in the only losing record (8-9) of Brady’s NFL career.

On Saturday, news broke that attorneys for Baker and Emily Mayfield filed a petition in district court in Austin, Texas, requesting information regarding the possible misappropriation of $12 million by a firm where family members of the quarterback work.

The petition filed Tuesday in Travis County asked the defendants — Camwood Capital Management Group, Camwood Ventures, Texas Contract Manufacturing Group, Unitech, Apex Machining and Lor-Van — to turn over financial records and provide oral depositions of witnesses to help the Mayfields determine where the money has gone over the course of five years.

Mayfield’s father, James, is the founder and senior managing director of Camwood Capital, while his brother, Matt, is the managing director. According to their website, Matt Mayfield oversees “all investments at our venture capital division.”

Baker Mayfield addressed the apparent family rift for the first time Tuesday, shortly after being named the Bucs’ starting quarterback for 2023.

“I’ll say this, it’s been a long time coming for that,” Mayfield said of the petition. “I’m not going to comment on any details, but yeah, I’ve been dealing with that stuff for years now. So, mentally, I’m in a much better headspace so we’re ready to roll.”

According to Spotrac, Mayfield will have earned at least $48.4 million in the NFL, including his Bucs salary for 2023, which could increase based on performance bonuses.

HIs attorneys say they want documentation to show where the $12 million has gone.

“Petitioners simply do not know if their money has been properly and competently invested, has been stolen or otherwise misappropriated, or something in between,” the petition stated.

Mayfield’s father has had previous financial issues. In 2017, an electromagnetics company filed a federal lawsuit against Mayfield’s dad, brother and their businesses, alleging they broke a contract and committed fraud by breaking a $3.8 million deal to buy shares of the firm. They settled the case a year later.

James Mayfield told ESPN in a 2016 story that the family “hit a serious rough patch” when his son was in high school, which caused them to live in different rental homes. Travis County court records show at least two relevant lawsuits: In 2010, a man alleged Mayfield’s parents did not repay loans totaling $10,000. A year later, a Texas hotel and spa filed a suit saying Mayfield’s father owed almost $4,800.

In October, James Mayfield was arrested on a complaint of driving while intoxicated, according to Travis County court records. The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21.

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