He didn't believe that Hunter was innocent either; installing relatives in the union and embezzling funds were facts.
Similarly, Kevin didn't believe that Chris Paul, who had been personally promoted to chairman by Billy Hunter, came with pure intentions when he invited him to be the president of the union.
Paul's actions reminded Fei of "Game of Thrones," where Robert Baratheon invited Ned Stark to be his prime minister. Fei believed he probably wouldn't end up beheaded like Ned, but who knew what might happen?
In the end, there was his identity.
His status had become quite delicate.
Clay Bennett had become the most envied, despised, and hated owner in the League because of him. When a player could bring the owner hundreds of millions of dollars in profit each year, he naturally attained a status that transcended players and management.
Fei couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't become like Jordan and own a team in the future.