Image sources: Eric B. Courts, 41, courtesy of the Chicago Police Department. The background image shows Richard T. Crane Medical Preparatory High School, where Courts was affiliated through the adidas Legacy program, © Google, via Google Maps.
Chicago youth basketball coach, Eric Courts, has been arrested on child pornography charges after allegedly persuading a 17-year-old to send him sexually explicit videos in exchange for a pair of basketball shoes.
According to the Chicago Police Department, 41-year-old Eric Courts has been charged with solicitation and possession of child pornography.
Courts was affiliated with Richard T. Crane Medical Preparatory High School, part of Chicago Public Schools, through his role as a representative for adidas Legacy, a youth basketball initiative serving students in underrepresented communities.
According to CBS, “After the teen sent Courts three videos, Courts promised additional exclusive clothing to the victim in return for more videos and images.”
Once Courts was identified by the victim as the suspect, police arrested him and found evidence on his phone.
Prosecutors also accused Courts of trying to manipulate witnesses into destroying evidence.
A Cook County judge ordered the suspect to be held in jail while awaiting trial, as “electronic monitoring would not be sufficient to keep tabs on his interactions with other children.” (CBS)
Courts is being held at Cook County Jail on no bond. His most recent court date was scheduled for November 12, 2025.
Police Believe There May Be More Victims
Authorities said there may be additional victims and urged anyone with information to call the Chicago Police Department Special Investigations Unit at (312) 492-3810.
adidas Legacy Responds
In a statement, a spokesperson for adidas Legacy said:
“We are aware of the arrest of Eric Courts and take the allegations against him very seriously. The deeply upsetting behavior alleged in these reports is in direct opposition to everything we stand for at adidas Legacy. We have terminated our contractor relationship, effective immediately.”
Courts’ Background and Access to Youth
Public listings indicate that Courts spent much of his career in positions that placed him in direct contact with both youth and adult athletes. He is listed as a coach for the Chicago Grinders, a youth basketball club for teens. He is also listed as the club’s director for the 2025-2026 season. His LinkedIn profile lists him as having volunteered with the program since March 2015.
Employment records also list prior positions with Chicago Public Schools, where he worked as an athletic director and technology coordinator, and at DePaul University, where he was a men’s basketball head manager. He held the role of assistant director for the Team Illinois Hawks Youth Basketball Club from 2002 to 2013. Courts also worked for St. Leonard’s Ministries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping incarcerated men and women, as an Employment Specialist.
Records from the Chicago Board of Education show that the district moved to dismiss Courts from his role at Al Raby High School in 2012. According to the resolution, The Chief Executive Officer submitted a written recommendation to dismiss Eric Courts, and the Board approved his dismissal, effective April 25, 2012.
The resolution does not describe the circumstances leading to this action, but the fact that Courts was formally dismissed by the Board is a notable part of his professional history and prompts important questions about what earlier issues existed.While there are no additional charges against Courts at this time, individuals who abuse positions of trust often do so repeatedly and over many years before they are caught. The alleged perpetrator’s long-standing involvement in youth programs raises concern that his roles may have created conditions that placed vulnerable children at risk.
While there are no additional charges against Courts at this time, individuals who abuse positions of trust often do so repeatedly and over many years before they are caught. The alleged perpetrator’s long-standing involvement in youth programs raises concern that his roles may have created conditions that placed vulnerable children at risk.
Potential Liability
Although adidas Legacy said it immediately terminated its relationship with Courts after the allegations emerged, the program could still face civil liability if evidence shows it failed to properly screen, train, or supervise adults like Courts who had access to minors.
Under Illinois law, youth programs have a duty to protect participants from foreseeable harm, including sexual exploitation by staff, volunteers, or contractors.
If an organization ignored warning signs or lacked adequate safeguarding policies, survivors of abuse may have grounds to pursue a civil claim for negligent supervision or retention.
Civil action can help determine what protective measures existed, if thorough background checks were performed, and whether prior concerns were appropriately documented or reported.
Legal Options for Survivors
Andreozzi + Foote is actively investigating reports involving former coach Eric Courts, including information related to his past roles. If you or your child were harmed by Eric Courts or another coach, know that you are not alone. Our Chicago trauma-informed attorneys have extensive experience litigating cases involving schools, athletic programs, and other youth-serving organizations.
Survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse by coaches or youth mentors may have the right to seek justice through civil action. Institutions that fail to screen, supervise, or protect minors can be held accountable in civil court.
Andreozzi + Foote represents survivors of sexual abuse and institutional negligence in Illinois and nationwide.
Our team is here to listen and help you understand your legal options in a safe, confidential setting.
Contact us today.
