NFL Draft 2025: Latest McNair Family Lawsuit Updates You Need to Know
Price Fights Back, Turner Bows Out in Texans’ Legal Clash
The McNair family, stewards of the Houston Texans and a vast business empire, remain embroiled in a complex legal battle in Harris County courts. What began as a dispute over Janice McNair’s health and control of the family’s assets has spiraled into a multi-front feud involving siblings, former executives, and the family’s trust entities. While the public drama has quieted since its 2024 peak, the undercurrents are churning fiercely. Here’s the latest on three pivotal developments, with signs pointing to major revelations in the weeks ahead.
Former General Counsel Exits the Fray
Wade Turner, former Senior Vice President and General Counsel at McNair Interests, has stepped out of the legal spotlight. Turner, who joined the family’s investment arm in 2017 after roles at Academy Sports + Outdoors and The Home Depot, was a central figure in the lawsuits. In June 2024, he filed a suit in Harris County Superior Court seeking a declaratory judgment for breach of contract, indemnification, and advancement of legal fees. Turner claimed McNair Interests failed to honor obligations to cover his legal expenses tied to his equity interests in McNair’s limited partnerships. Court records show a notice of dismissal filed on April 7, 2025, indicating a likely confidential agreement with McNair Interests. His departure narrows the field of combatants, but the broader conflict rages on.
John Price Countersues with Precision
John Price, the former Senior Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer at McNair Interests, has escalated the fight with a sharp counterclaim. A Certified Public Accountant who oversaw finance, accounting, treasury, tax, operations, IT, and risk management since joining in 2018, Price was named in a June 2024 lawsuit by Palmetto Trust Company and McNair Interests GP LLC. The suit accused Price, alongside Cary McNair, Scott Schwinger, and Wade Turner, of breaching fiduciary duties and engaging in civil conspiracy through undisclosed employment agreements that allegedly enriched executives without board approval. Price fired back with a countersuit in Harris County District Court against Palmetto Protector LLC, Daniel Calvin (Cal) McNair, Ruth McNair Smith, and Melissa McNair. He alleges wrongful termination and defamation, claiming the siblings orchestrated his ousting to consolidate control under Cal McNair. Price seeks damages for breach of contract, defamation, and indemnification, arguing the accusations are a calculated smear. Leading his defense is W. Cameron McCulloch Jr., a seasoned partner at Kean Miller LLP in Houston. With over 25 years of experience in probate, trust, and fiduciary litigation, McCulloch is a strategic pick, known for handling high-stakes disputes involving guardianships and estates. His recent work, including a 2024 TexasBarCLE presentation on conflict-of-interest issues for estate attorneys, highlights his expertise in navigating complex fiduciary battles, positioning Price for a formidable fight.
A Quiet Surface, A Roiling Undercurrent
The McNair lawsuits may seem dormant to outsiders, but the legal machinery is grinding. The original guardianship case over Janice McNair, triggered by Cary McNair’s 2023 petition for an independent medical evaluation, remains unresolved and sealed from public view. Court filings, though less frequent, point to active discovery and procedural jockeying. Whispers in Houston’s legal circles suggest a prominent national publication is digging into the family’s affairs, probing the lawsuits and their implications for the Texans’ ownership. The attention from a major outlet signals the story’s gravity. The NFL’s recent approval of private equity investments in franchises adds complexity, as the lawsuits’ outcome could reshape the McNair dynasty’s grip on its $6 billion-plus portfolio. With court deadlines looming and insiders hinting at significant developments, the next few weeks could bring explosive updates to this saga.
What’s Next?
The McNair family feud is poised for a dramatic turn. Turner’s settlement removes one player, but Price’s countersuit, backed by Cameron McCulloch’s legal expertise, intensifies the conflict. With unseen maneuvers unfolding, external eyes watching, and big moves expected soon, the Harris County courts remain the arena for this clash of wealth, loyalty, and legacy. While the lawsuits in Nevada are also gaining steam. Houston is bracing for what’s coming.