Victor Conte, one of the central names in performance-enhancing drug scandals during the 2000s, died Monday at 75. Conte had announced in June that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.Conte founded BALCO, the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, in 1984, after a career as a musician, which included time as the bassist for R&B group Tower of Power. BALCO also provided blood and urine testing to athletes. In 2000, Conte began working with several baseball players, including former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds.A 2003 federal investigation found that BALCO had distributed banned performance-enhancing drugs to major athletes across a variety of sports. Bonds as well as superstar athletes like world champion Marion Jones, boxer Shane Mosley as well as many others, have been revealed as BALCO’s clients. Conte admitted to money laundering and conspiracy to distribute steroids in 2005. Conte served four months behind bars as a result of his guilty plea. Conte was released and created Scientific Nutrition for Advanced Conditioning, which works with boxers to improve their performance. Conte was also a vocal advocate against doping. Conte was vocal about the importance of clean athletes and the fact that positive drug tests are not the result of SNAC’s work.Victor Conte was a leader of SNAC and a former Tower of Power, Herbie Hancock and Herbie Hancock bassist. He also created ZMA. “We will respect his wishes. SNAC will continue to carry on his legacy, forever. We love you, Conte!”
2025-11-03 23:45:07
