‘Jerry Maguire’ inspiration Leigh Steinberg files for bankruptcy

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SANTA ANA, Calif. — The sports agent who was the inspiration for the movie “Jerry Maguire” has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Court records show Leigh Steinberg’s attorney filed the Chapter 7 petition late Wednesday in federal bankruptcy court in Santa Ana. Details were not immediately available.

The filing comes after an Orange County Superior Court commissioner authorized a bench warrant for Steinberg last month after he failed to appear in court in a case involving a $1.4 million debt.

Court documents show a default judgment ordered Steinberg to pay the Irvine Co. for office space he leased in Newport Beach.

Steinberg has represented athletes including Troy Aikman and Oscar De La Hoya and was the inspiration for Tom Cruise’s character in 1996’s “Jerry Maguire.” The movie turned “Show me the money!” into an enduring catchphrase.

AP