Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens has accused his long-time business manager of stealing from him in a bombshell post on Instagram.
The 15-year NFL veteran, now 52, took to social media to make the explosive claims against Heather Mesalam, who until 2021 was president of Elite Image Management.
In the post, which included a series of screenshots of their alleged text conversations, Owens shared details of his alleged financial outgoings, in which he paid Mesalam $1,500 a month to manage his life.
In the caption, he accused Mesalam of stealing money from him and causing him years of financial trauma, labeling her ‘a liar and a thief’.
In the post on Instagram, Owens wrote: ‘When you’re managing someone’s affairs and getting paid to do it, you have to be accountable for it! I haven’t always used my voice when I should but I GOT TIME TODAY.
‘I struggled with whether I should post or not because of the many questions I would receive of what and/or why, but with so many people committing suicide and leaving loved ones behind and leaving their families of trying to figure out why.’
Terrell Owens has accused Heather Mesalam (left) of theft while operating as his manager
In a series of screenshots, Owens shared details of emails and texts between him and Mesalam. In one, he pointed out the $1,500 fee he allegedly paid her each month
In an alleged text conversation, Owens confronted Mesalam about when her fee increased
He later added: ‘Heather Mesalam, it’s people like you that think that you can just steal from me and think that you’re going to get away with it.
‘I’m posting this because [Mesalam] has handled my business affairs for 15+ years and I discovered on last Oct 3rd that she had stolen from me. The video screenshot puts everything in perspective.
‘In closing, I want to thank @paul_aloise for helping me address this matter and transition from #mezchick (Heather Mesalam), who stole from me and [is] no longer working for me in any capacity.’
In photos alongside the post, he shared an image of his monthly outgoings, which was led by $1,174 in child support, and $1,500 to Mesalam.
In a video of their text conversation, Owens allegedly queries when her monthly payment increased from $1,300 to $1,500.
Owens alleges that he ‘never approved it’ when she responded ‘a while ago’, while Mesalam then claims she ‘sent it in an email with your breakdown like I do every month.’
Owens claims he didn’t receive the email, going on to ask why she had increased the fee ‘without my consent’.
Mesalam replied: ‘I didn’t do that without your consent – I sent it over – I send you a text with total and email breakdowns – it’s been the same for 14 years.’
Mesalam no longer works for Owens ‘in any capacity’, according to the NFL legend
Owens is pictured courtside during the Knicks’ recent playoff win over the Philadelphia 76ers
It is unclear whether the ex-NFL star plans to take legal action against his former manager.
According to Mesalam’s LinkedIn page, she no longer works for Elite Image Management, and has since opened a ‘Tropical Smoothie Cafe’ in Indianapolis.
On the same page, she still promotes an article going ‘behind the scenes of Terrell Owens’ Hall of Fame weekend’ as her main featured item.
Mesalam did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail when asked to comment on the allegations.
