Former trainer says firing was because he’s gay

A former trainer for the Chicago White Sox is alleging in a lawsuit that he was fired by the team because of his sexual orientation, age and disability, writes Jay Cohen of The Associated Press.

The actions of White Sox General Manager Rick Hahn and the club, according to the lawsuit filed Monday, caused Brian Ball (above, left) “significant emotional and monetary damages, as well as damage to his reputation and name.” The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

In a team statement, the White Sox described Ball’s allegations as “baseless” and promised to vigorously defend the organization’s reputation.

“It is extremely disappointing that a former colleague, who was supported, developed and promoted over two decades, chose to attack the club in this way,” the team said Tuesday.

The White Sox said Ball’s dismissal “was based on his performance and did not run afoul of any of the protections afforded to employees under the law.”

Ball, now 50, was hired by Chicago in September 2000, to serve as an assistant trainer.

In December 2005, he was promoted to head athletic trainer.

Ball claims in the suit that White Sox officials learned he was gay in February, 2018.

According to the suit, Hahn made “continuous statements” to athletic training personnel in September 2020 that Ball had a gambling, alcohol or drug addiction that was related to the carjacking. The suit said none of those accusations “were or are true.”

Ball alleges he was contacted by a “White Sox management level representative” in late 2020, referred to as individual “A” in the suit. He was told his termination was because of his sexual orientation, based on a “knowledgeable White Sox senior management representative disclosure,” according to the lawsuit.