Irvin files suit, says he was falsely accused of misconduct
Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin has filed a defamation lawsuit seeking $100 million in damages, claiming he was falsely accused of misconduct by a female employee at a Phoenix hotel.
Irvin, 56, was pulled off the remainder of NFL Network’s Super Bowl week coverage following a complaint about his behavior in a hotel on Sunday. He has worked at the network since 2009.
The lawsuit against a “Jane Doe” and Marriott International, Inc., was filed Thursday in Collin County, Texas. Marriott International did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
In interviews this week with with Dallas’ 105.3 The Fan and the Dallas Morning News, Irvin said he had a conversation with a woman at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel that lasted between 45 seconds and one minute. Irvin said he didn’t know her and “there was no sexual wrongdoing.”
Irvin also said he initially didn’t remember the meeting because “I had a few drinks, to tell you the truth.”
In his lawsuit, Irvin said he returned to the hotel, he briefly greeted, shook hands and talked with several fans, including the woman, for a few minutes before going to his room alone.
The lawsuit claims a hotel manager reported “false information” to the NFL, accusing
Irvin of improper behavior toward a hotel employee. Irvin was then “shockingly woken up by a crew of security” and removed from the hotel “without any explanation or questions,” the lawsuit said.
Witnesses have come forward in Irvin’s defense, said Irvin’s attorney, Levi McCathern.
“It is clear Michael is the latest victim of our cancel culture where all it takes is an accusation to ruin a person’s life. Michael looks forward to clearing his name in court and hopes the court of public opinion will see the truth come out as well,” McCathern said.
LOUISVILLE LEGEND ACCUSED
Louisville police have accused former Louisville men’s basketball great Robbie Valentine of strangulation following an argument with his girlfriend.
The incident occurred Thursday night at a residence Valentine shared with the woman, the arrest citation stated. The couple went to dinner and the woman sought to discuss moving out and getting her own place, the citation added, and they argued after returning home.
Valentine, 59, allegedly took the woman’s phone and emptied her purse in the sink, according to the citation. He later threw the woman off the bed and began strangling her, the report added, leaving her with pain and redness on the sides of her neck and bruising to the back.
Alcohol was involved, the arrest citation said.
Valentine was initially arrested for second-degree strangulation before the charge was upgraded to first-degree strangulation, a Class C felony, in a court appearance Friday. He paid a $2,500 bond and was ordered not to have contact with the woman.
Valentine faces a preliminary hearing in Jefferson County District Court on Feb. 20. His attorney, Brian Butler, had no comment on Friday evening.
Valentine played with Louisville from 1982-86 and was a member of the 1986 NCAA championship and 1983 Final Four squads. He’s a member of Louisville Athletics’ Hall of Fame.
REYNOSO SUSPENDED
All-Star midfielder Emanuel Reynoso has been suspended without pay by Major League Soccer for failure to report to preseason training with Minnesota United FC, the club announced Friday.
Minnesota United’s statement provided no further details on the situation. The 27-yearold Reynoso has remained in his native Argentina since the Loons opened camp more than a month ago.
Coach Adrian Heath has said Reynoso has been dealing with personal matters. He has not specified a timeline for his return, only that the club has been hopeful he’ll join them soon.
Reynoso led the Loons with 10 goals last season. He also had 11 assists in 29 games and was named to the MLS All-Star team for the second straight year.
Reynoso has 16 goals and 28 assists in 71 games for Minnesota since joining the club midway through the 2020 season. Last September, he signed a three-year designated player contract extension with a club option for 2026.
BROWNS OWNERS EYE BUCKS
Cleveland Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam are taking another shot at the NBA.
Looking to expand their professional sports portfolio outside of Ohio, the Haslams are in talks to buy a minority stake in the Milwaukee Bucks, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday.
The Haslams have explored buying other pro teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves in the past, and now are seeking the 25% share currently held by Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
There is no timeline for an agreement or sale, the person said. Sportico was first to report the Haslam Sports Group’s interest in the Bucks.
Lasry and Wesley Edens, both New York investment firm executives, bought the Bucks from former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl for about $550 million in 2014 with pledges to keep the team in Milwaukee.