Tag: lawsuit

Mar 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Shannon Sharpe during the second quarter between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Shannon Sharpe steps back from ESPN amid sexual assault lawsuit

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Shannon Sharpe announced Thursday he will step away from ESPN as he faces a sexual assault lawsuit, while a report by Front Office Sports uncovered an additional incident in which Sharpe was accused of choking a female colleague at Fox.

Sharpe was the subject of a $50 million lawsuit in Nevada earlier this week, with a woman accusing him of sexually assaulting her, battering her and using his fame to control and subjugate her while they were in a relationship.

“My statement is found here and this is the truth,” Sharpe said Thursday in what appeared to be a screenshot of a text message posted to social media. “The relationship in question was 100% consensual.

“At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties.

“I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason.

“I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends and colleagues.”

The Pro Football Hall of Famer began appearing on ESPN’s “First Take” in September 2023. He signed a multi-year contract extension with the company last summer.

Buzbee and his client shared an audio call that is alleged to feature Sharpe threatening to “choke the (expletive) out of” her. The female voice in the call replied, “I don’t wanna be choked,” and the voice purported to be Sharpe said, “Yes, you do. I don’t think you have a choice in the matter.”

Sharpe’s attorney Lanny Davis said his client and the plaintiff were engaged in “a consensual, adult relationship that included role-playing, sexual language and fantasy scenarios.” He also said that Sharpe didn’t mean the words literally.

In a previous statement, Sharpe claimed the lawsuit is filled with “lies, distortions and misrepresentations.” He also took aim at attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the plaintiff, saying Buzbee “targets” Black men.

Also on Thursday, Front Office Sports reported that when Sharpe worked for Fox as the co-host of FS1’s “Undisputed,” he was accused of choking a female production assistant in the workplace.

Per the report, Sharpe was not sued in the case, and he and Fox settled with the woman for several hundred thousand dollars.

“There was no incident of choking involving Shannon on the FS1 set,” a representative of Sharpe’s said in a statement to Front Office Sports. “On one occasion, he and a few colleagues were involved in some light physical interaction in a playful context. Fox Sports later chose to resolve the matter privately.”

–Field Level Media

Mar 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Shannon Sharpe during the second quarter between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Shannon Sharpe refutes accuser’s claims amid reports of $10M settlement offer

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pro Football Hall of Famer and ESPN commentator Shannon Sharpe and his lawyer are challenging a civil lawsuit in which a woman accuses him of rape.

Sharpe, in a video posted to Instagram on Tuesday, said the suit is a “shakedown” and that he believes a 30-second clip of a “sex tape” will be deceptively cut to make him appear guilty of sexual assault.

Therefore, Sharpe said he wants the full 10-minute recording to be publicly released, believing it will vindicate him.

The lawsuit seeks more than $50 million in damages. Sharpe’s attorney, Lanny Davis, said the accuser turned down a $10 million settlement before filing suit.

Sharpe’s accuser has retained Tony Buzbee, a lawyer known for representing accusers in the Deshaun Watson sexual misconduct case and those who alleged abuse by Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Buzbee and his client shared an audio call that is alleged to feature Sharpe threatening to “choke the (expletive) out of” her. The female voice in the call replied, “I don’t wanna be choked,” and the voice purported to be Sharpe said, “Yes, you do. I don’t think you have a choice in the matter.”

Davis said his client and the plaintiff were engaged in “a consensual, adult relationship that included role-playing, sexual language and fantasy scenarios.” He also said that Sharpe didn’t mean the words literally.

Sharpe, for his part, also said he wants to sue his accuser and Buzbee for defamation.

That audio is separate from the video that Sharpe fears will paint him to be guilty “and play into every stereotype you could possibly imagine.”

“An incredibly damning video does exist,” Buzbee wrote in a message to media members on Tuesday. “That video, which will be played to the jury, is extremely problematic for Mr. Sharpe.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald walks the sidelines during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Northwestern settles hazing lawsuits; Pat Fitzgerald’s suit continues

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A group of football players agreed to settle its lawsuits against Northwestern that concerned allegations of hazing and abusive behavior under previous coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Per Bloomberg News, “master settlement agreements” were signed but the final documentation was still being finalized. The group of plaintiffs, believed to total 25, will drop their claims against both Northwestern and Fitzgerald, who was fired in July 2023.

Fitzgerald’s attorneys confirmed the settlement in a statement released to news outlets. However, their client is still pursuing wrongful termination action against Northwestern.

“He continues to assert that Northwestern illegally terminated his employment, violated an oral contract and defamed him, causing significant damage to his sterling reputation,” attorneys Dan K. Webb and Matthew R. Carter wrote in a statement.

“(Monday), Northwestern tried to postpone the trial of Coach Fitzgerald’s claims by nearly five months. The Court denied that motion and Coach Fitzgerald’s trial will take place on November 3, 2025. He looks forward to having his day in court, where he expects a jury will hold Northwestern and President (Michael) Schill accountable for the extreme harm done to his personal and professional reputation.”

A former Northwestern player accused hazing within the program in November 2022, but the university investigated and did not find evidence that Fitzgerald or his assistants knew about the hazing.

Fitzgerald was given a two-week suspension the following July, which prompted a letter signed by Northwestern players defending their coach, calling the allegations “exaggerated and twisted.” Then three former players came forward to the student newspaper accusing Fitzgerald of racist remarks, and Northwestern decided to fire Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald — a star linebacker at the university who is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and coached the Wildcats from 2006-22 — filed suit against Northwestern later in 2023 claiming there was a verbal agreement from Schill that Fitzgerald would face no more punishment besides the initial two-week suspension.

Fitzgerald’s attorneys said in Tuesday’s statement that there is no evidence supporting the claims against Fitzgerald after an extensive discovery period.

“As previously stated,” they wrote, “Coach Fitzgerald committed no wrongdoing.”

–Field Level Media

The parents of a Bucknell football player are suing over his death during a workout last summer.

Bucknell sued in football player’s death last summer

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The parents of a Bucknell freshman football player who died following a workout last summer have filed a lawsuit against the school and members of the administration and coaching staff.

The suit claims the university knew about their 18-year-old son’s sickle cell diagnosis but did not have protocols in place to protect him, calling his death “completely avoidable.”

Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr. died on July 12, two days after collapsing in his first workout with the school in Lewisburg, Pa. He was 18 years old.

“We do this for CJ, for every young man on that team, and anyone who comes after him, and anyone at any university,” Dickey’s mother, Nicole, said Wednesday. “This is a longer, harder path, and I am ready for it. My boy is worth it.”

An autopsy determined Dickey died from a sickle cell-related condition called rhabdomyolysis, family attorney Mike Caspino told ESPN.

The lawsuit claims there were no trainers present when Dickey and other freshmen were performing up-downs “as punishment” after they “messed up” during the workout.

“Students who were present at the workout have reported that CJ was clearly in distress during the 100 up-downs,” the lawsuit states. “He was falling behind the rest of the group and could not keep up.”

The Cleveland Clinic’s webpage says anyone with rhabdomyolysis who is attempting to exercise can reduce the risks by: “Starting an exercise program slowly, and listening to your body. If you feel especially sore or tired during a workout, stop and rest. Don’t push yourself beyond safe limits. … Take breaks in the shade if you’re doing physical activity in the heat.”

Bucknell released a statement to ESPN saying the school is aware of the lawsuit.

“The death of a student is always a tragic loss,” Bucknell said in the statement. “While the University will not comment on pending litigation, we again extend heartfelt sympathies to CJ’s family, and we will continue to focus on our most important priority — the health and safety of all Bucknell students.”

The family is accusing the school of negligence and wrongful death and seeking unspecified compensation.

“We don’t want another athlete, another family, brother, cousin to go through this type of agony and pain and death, especially when it’s not necessary or completely avoidable,” Dickey’s father, Calvin Sr., said Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt runs off the field after a game between Tennessee and Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. Tennessee defeated Auburn 30-24. Auburntennessee1013 1831 RANK 10

Ex-Tennessee football coach suing NCAA for $100M

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Former Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt filed a lawsuit this week against the NCAA seeking $100 million over the fallout from his firing four years ago for recruiting violations.

The lawsuit filed on Wednesday in DeKalb County, Ala., claims that the NCAA conspired with the university to make him “the sacrificial lamb for conduct that long preceded his tenure at UT.”

Tennessee hired Pruitt in December 2017, replacing Butch Jones. Pruitt was fired for cause in January 2021 after going 16-19 in three seasons and did not receive any of his $12.6 million buyout.

In July 2023, Tennessee learned that all 11 wins from the 2019 and 2020 seasons had been vacated as part of the punishment for the alleged violations during Pruitt’s tenure.

The NCAA also issued a six-year show-cause penalty and one-year suspension against Pruitt, who has not coached in college football since. He is currently helping to coach at Alabama’s Plainview High School, his alma mater.

Pruitt’s lawsuit claims that Tennessee was paying players before he was hired. He said he informed then-athletic director Phillip Fulmer of the payments and Fulmer told Pruitt “he would handle it,” per the lawsuit.

In the lawsuit, Pruitt, 50, claims that he has suffered damages including lost wages, future lost wages, damage to his reputation, emotional distress and mental anguish.

Pruitt’s attorneys issued a statement to USA Today.

“We stand wholeheartedly behind Coach Pruitt’s claims as detailed in the complaint,” the statement read. “While we appreciate the public’s interest in this matter, we do not intend to try Coach Pruitt’s case in the media. Coach Pruitt’s claims deserve to be evaluated by an Alabama jury. We intend to give Jeremy the fair and impartial forum that the NCAA would not allow.”

The NCAA released a statement in response to the lawsuit.

“NCAA rules are proposed and adopted by member schools and penalties for violations are imposed by a committee of representatives from NCAA member schools and conferences as well as individuals from the public who have legal training,” the statement read. “In this case, the Committee on Infractions found violations and assigned penalties, both of which were affirmed by the Infractions Appeals Committee.”

Tennessee issued a statement saying it is “confident in the actions taken in the Pruitt case. We will continue to prioritize our student-athletes and winning with integrity.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2024; Inglewood, CA, USA; UNLV Rebels defensive back Jett Elad (9)celebrates after a play in the first half against the California Golden Bears at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Report: Rutgers transfer seeking NIL deal suing NCAA

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Rutgers transfer Jett Elad is challenging the NCAA’s eligibility rules and hoping to cash in on a lucrative NIL deal.

The Canadian-born safety filed a lawsuit last week in federal district court in New Jersey, seeking an injunction that would block the NCAA from enforcing its so-called “five-year rule.”

The eligibility rule requires student-athletes to play four seasons within five years, including junior college.

Elad, who turns 24 next month, began his journey at Ohio University, where he redshirted in 2019 before playing in three games in 2020 and nine in 2021. He then spent the 2022 season at Garden City Community College in Kansas before transferring to UNLV for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

“The eligibility rule at issue is unlawful because it has substantial anticompetitive effects on two-year or junior colleges and universities that are excluded from NCAA membership,” states the lawsuit filed by Elad, according to a copy obtained by Sportsnet.

“… This five-year period includes time spent at a two-year or junior college. The effect of this rule (the “Five-Year Rule”) is to discourage student-athletes from attending junior college to prepare for four-year college and to punish those who do so, even though junior colleges may provide such student-athletes with necessary academic and other opportunities. And just as the student-athletes are deprived of the junior-college experience that may so benefit them, the junior colleges are deprived of elite athletes, reducing their ability to compete with NCAA schools.”

Elad hopes to be on the field for coach Greg Schiano’s Scarlet Knights this season, with spring practice starting this week in Piscataway, N.J.

In addition to the opportunity to play in a major conference like the Big Ten, at stake is a reported $500,000 name, image and likeness deal.

The NCAA rule will “permanently deprive (Elad) of a once-in-a-lifetime” NIL deal “and the opportunity to enhance his career and reputation by playing another year of Division I football,” the lawsuit argues.

In a statement to Sportico, an NCAA spokesperson said the association “stands by its eligibility rules, including the five-year rule, which enable student-athletes and schools to have fair competition and ensure broad access to the unique and life-changing opportunity to be a student-athlete.”

U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi has scheduled a hearing for April 3 in Trenton, N.J.

–Field Level Media

Isaiah Wright, a running back featured on the Netflix series "Last Chance U, is playing football for the Alcoa Alloys, a semipro team with the Interactive American Football League on Saturday, April 6, 2019. Kns Isaiah Wright

‘Last Chance U’ stars sue Netflix, others for $30M

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Six former junior college football players are seeking $30 million in a lawsuit that claims they were portrayed inaccurately on the Netflix docuseries “Last Chance U,” Front Office Sports reported Tuesday.

The athletes, who were featured on the show while playing at East Mississippi Community College during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, reportedly filed the suit in Los Angeles earlier this month.

Netflix, East Mississippi Community College, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), production company Conde Nast and the executive producer of “Last Chance U” were listed as defendants in the case.

The players argued that they were portrayed in “misleading, offensive, or highly objectionable” ways and were not paid for appearing in the successful docuseries, even though East Mississippi Community College profited through merchandise sales and Nast got “a large amount of money from Netflix.”

“Make no mistake, each of the defendants have been unjustly enriched by intruding upon the private lives of the plaintiffs, taking unfair advantage of them through defendants’ superior bargaining power, manipulating many of plaintiffs’ characters, along with other means for their own financial gain while sacrificing any decent reputation plaintiffs had,” John Pierce, the players’ attorney, wrote in the suit.

Players were also repeatedly pressured to sign contracts without knowing how the show was being marketed, the suit alleged.

“Plaintiffs were misled and unaware of the potential commercial value the footage had,” the lawsuit said. “However, defendants were aware of the high probability the documentary would turn into a highly profitable production.”

One of the players, Ronald Ollie, contended that his portrayal on the docuseries contributed to him going unsigned by the Baltimore Ravens and being released by the then-Oakland Raiders during the 2019 preseason.

“The image that Ronald Ollie being lazy, unmotivated, and lacking work ethic is a false narrative,” the lawsuit said. “However, ‘Last Chance U’ portrayed him in a false light which destroyed career opportunities for Ronald Ollie.”

Netflix declined Front Office Sports’ request for comment, while the other defendants did not provide a comment.

John Franklin III, Cary Sidney Reavis II, Deandre Johnson, Tim Bonner and Isaiah Wright were the other five plaintiffs who appeared on the football version of “Last Chance U,” which ended in 2020 after five seasons.

–Field Level Media

East Rutherford, NJ -- November 24, 2024 -- Baker Mayfield of Tampa Bay runs for a TD late in the first half as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came to MetLife Stadium to play the New York Giants.

Reports: Baker Mayfield suing father’s company for $12M

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has filed a federal lawsuit against his father’s company, claiming that his dad, James, stole millions from him and his wife without reimbursing the couple, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday.

Mayfield and his wife, Emily, filed the suit on Friday, and the two are looking for nearly $12 million in damages. Camwood Capital Management Group, which was founded by Mayfield’s father, is the defendant in the case.

According to the lawsuit, Camwood Capital transferred over $12.2 million from Mayfield and his wife “without authorization” for years (2018-21). The two sides agreed to a settlement that required James Mayfield’s business to dish out $11.7 million to the plaintiffs, but not a single payment for that settlement has been made.

Multiple companies are being sued, as they are considered “a collection of interconnected entities with common ownership.” Texas Contracting Manufacturing Group, Unitech Tool & Machine, Apex Machining and Lor-Van Manufacturing join Camwood Capital on the defense.

Baker Mayfield and his wife are claiming that those entities breached contract following the settlement.

“Once Plaintiffs began to uncover Defendants’ misconduct and sought answers to explain the taking of their assets, Defendants attempted to obscure the relevant information, avoided Plaintiffs’ inquiries, and invented fictional explanations for their actions,” the lawsuit reads.

The first payment of the settlement — $250,000 — had a Sept. 30 deadline that was never met. None of the companies involved answered the Mayfields when they were reached out to regarding the missed payment.

Baker Mayfield, 29, is currently on a three-year, $100 million deal with Tampa Bay.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; LSU Tigers safety Greg Brooks Jr. (3) and safety Major Burns (28) in action during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Former LSU player with brain tumor sues school

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Former LSU free safety Greg Brooks contends the school and a local hospital were negligent in how they diagnosed and treated his brain tumor, leading him to becoming permanently disabled.

The allegations are detailed in a lawsuit he filed in August in East Baton Rouge Parish against LSU and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Yahoo and local newspaper The Advocate obtained a copy of the suit and reported on the case Friday.

Brooks played in two games in the 2023 season before the brain tumor showed up in an MRI. But his medical problems predated the start of the season, he said in the lawsuit.

According to Brooks’ account, he vomited and ultimately passed out during practice on Aug. 5, 2023, witnessed by coaches and trainers.

“Greg told his coaches and athletic trainers that he was dizzy, had a headache and was nauseous — all which are neurological symptoms,” the lawsuit reads.

It further states that he was given Zofran, a drug to prevent nausea and vomiting, then sent back to practice. In subsequent weeks, he continued to let staff know when he felt dizzy but said coaches encouraged him to continue practicing and playing because he risked losing his starting job, per The Advocate.

In the lawsuit, he said he was not referred to a neurologist until mid-September, when the diagnosis was made, and said the inaction for a month caused “the pain and suffering” he went through.

Among those on the LSU side named in the lawsuit are Tigers head coach Brian Kelly, then-defensive coordinator Matt House, then-safeties coach Kerry Cooks, head athletic trainer Owen Stanley, and team doctors Stephen Etheredge and Vincent Shaw, according to The Advocate.

“While LSU cannot comment on ongoing litigation, Greg Brooks remains in our thoughts and prayers as he continues to work through the rehabilitation process,” LSU said in a statement to Yahoo. “Since the beginning of our agreement with our Championship Health Partner, Our Lady of the Lake, they have provided exceptional medical care for our student-athletes in all of our sports.”

In the lawsuit, Brooks also alleged that surgeon Brandon Gaynor committed malpractice, contending he has “catastrophic neurological injuries” and cannot walk one year after surgery.

“First, and foremost, our prayers remain with Greg for his continued healing and recovery,” the hospital said in a statement to Yahoo. “Due to patient privacy laws and pending litigation, we can’t comment on specific individuals or situations. The neurosurgical team at Our Lady of the Lake is among the most experienced in Louisiana and they give our patients the best opportunity for a positive outcome in any circumstance. Providing excellent healthcare to those we serve is our top priority.”

Brooks was a fifth-year senior last fall and played his final game on Sept. 9, a 72-10 win over Grambling in which he made four tackles.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars place kicker Brandon McManus (10) makes a 40 yard field goal against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

NFL has ‘insufficient’ evidence to punish ex-Jags K Brandon McManus

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The NFL said Monday that it has concluded its investigation into former Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Brandon McManus and would not be disciplining him at this time.

McManus is the subject of a lawsuit that alleges he sexually assaulted two women working on a team flight last year.

“There was insufficient evidence to support a finding that a violation of the personal conduct policy occurred,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement to several outlets Monday. “As always, if new evidence is presented it would be taken into consideration.”

The league interviewed 30 people as part of its investigation, but attorney Tony Buzbee, who is representing the two accusers, claimed his clients had yet to speak with the NFL.

“We are still working to schedule a meeting between the NFL’s investigators and our clients,” Buzbee said in a statement to ESPN. “The NFL hasn’t yet spoken with our clients so I’m a bit confused as to why anyone could conclude (there was insufficient evidence) at this point.”

McManus is a free agent and eligible to sign with any team.

Two women filed a lawsuit in May after McManus had signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Washington Commanders. They accused McManus of rubbing and grinding against them while they staffed the Jaguars’ flight to London for a pair of games in October 2023.

One accuser said McManus tried to kiss her, and the other claimed McManus “smirked and walked away” after she confronted him about grinding against her.

The Jaguars also were named in the suit, as the women claimed the team did not provide a safe working environment on the flight. They said players, including McManus, disregarded air travel safety and the kicker passed out $100 bills to try to get the flight attendants to drink and dance.

Earlier this month, a Florida circuit court judge dismissed the accusers’ initial lawsuit because they used the pseudonyms Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II without “exceptional circumstances that outweigh the public interest in open proceedings.”

The women re-filed the lawsuits using their names three days later. They are seeking more than $1 million in damages and a jury trial.

In a counterfiling called a request for admissions, McManus’ lawyer claimed that the women drank on the job, had drug addictions, made sexually explicit social media posts and used a racial slur, among other things.

McManus, 33, spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the Denver Broncos before joining Jacksonville on a one-year contract in 2023.

–Field Level Media