(CNN) Michael Avenatti saw a youth basketball coach merely as an opportunity to make millions of dollars and tried to "shake down" Nike, prosecutors said during opening statements at his federal trial on Wednesday. "When the defendant looked at the coach he didn't see a client to help, he saw dollar signs," said Assistant US Attorney Robert Sobelman. Avenatti, best known for representing Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against President Trump, is on trial for allegedly threatening to publicly accuse Nike employees of improper and illegal conduct unless the company paid him up to $25 million. Prosecutors said in court that Gary Franklin, coach of youth basketball team California Supreme, asked Avenatti for help last year after Nike did not renew his team's sponsorship deal after the company had him make illicit payments to the families of top high school basketball players. Avenatti's attorneys deny there was any attempt of fraud and said Franklin hired "Avenatti to be Avenatti."

Source: CNN January 30, 2020 06:22 UTC