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NBA ref sues AP, sports writer over Twitter post


Posted Mar 15 2011 4:15PM - Updated Mar 15 2011 5:44PM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- An NBA referee has sued The Associated Press and one of its sports writers over a Twitter message suggesting he intentionally made a bad call to make up for a previous bad call that went against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In a federal lawsuit filed Monday in Minneapolis, veteran NBA referee William Spooner claimed AP sports writer Jon Krawczynski defamed him in the Twitter message, sent while he was covering the Jan. 24 Rockets-Timberwolves game.

In the second period, Spooner called a foul against a Timberwolves player. According to Spooner's lawsuit, Wolves coach Kurt Rambis argued the call and Spooner told him he would review it at halftime. Rambis said that was fine, but asked how he was supposed to get the points back, according to the lawsuit.

Spooner says in the lawsuit that he didn't respond to Rambis. But Krawczynski, seated courtside, posted a tweet that said, "Ref Bill Spooner told Rambis he'd 'get it back' after a bad call. Then he made an even worse call on Rockets. That's NBA officiating folks."

The Rockets went on to win the game 129-125.

Spooner claims the Twitter message led to a disciplinary investigation by the NBA and that his professional reputation has been hurt.

Spooner has asked the court for damages of more than $75,000 plus a court order to remove the statement from Krawczynski's Internet postings.

AP attorney Dave Tomlin said, "We believe all the facts we reported in our coverage of that game, in all media, were accurate."

A hearing date has not been set.

The NBA issued the following statement in regards to Spooner's suit: "We investigated the content of the tweet when it appeared, found it to be without substance, and informed Mr. Spooner that we considered the matter closed. We subsequently advised Mr. Spooner's lawyer that we did not think suing a journalist over an incorrect tweet would be productive. Nevertheless, Mr. Spooner and his lawyer decided to commence this litigation and any future inquiries should be directed to Mr. Spooner's lawyer."
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funny interesting stuff
 
You know this is exactly how the officials work. If they miss a call they try and make a make up call. The officiating in the NBA is the worst of any professional league I am aware of. It always has been and it probally always will be.

I am not even including all the refs who are "fixing" games for the NBA or Bookies.
 
There's actually an interesting issue here as to whether or not the official is a public figure, which is a very important consideration in a defamation action. The complaint is designed to specifically plead that he's not a public figure.
 
GoJazz said:
Does it matter if he is a public figure or not if he actually said it?
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If it can be proved that he actually said it, no. Truth is still a defense to defamation regardless.

However if he can convince someone that he didn't say it then it's a pretty important issue because it significantly enhances what the ref has to prove to win. It's also very important procedurally because, for example, the AP could argue on summary judgment that he's a public figure and his pleadings don't establish that the AP reporter knew the statement was false or that he had a reckless disregard for the truth.

BTW if you're the NBA you want this lawsuit to go away as fast as possible.

EDIT: If you're actually interested in the public figure thing this is the place to start: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_Co._v._Sullivan
 
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Sirkickyass said:
If it can be proved that he actually said it, no. Truth is still a defense to defamation regardless.

However if he can convince someone that he didn't say it then it's a pretty important issue because it significantly enhances what the ref has to prove to win. It's also very important procedurally because, for example, the AP could argue on summary judgment that he's a public figure and his pleadings don't establish that the AP reporter knew the statement was false or that he had a reckless disregard for the truth.

BTW if you're the NBA you want this lawsuit to go away as fast as possible.

EDIT: If you're actually interested in the public figure thing this is the place to start: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_Co._v._Sullivan
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Stern will move to confiscate any games in which the ref's voice can be heard. Or they will be mysteriously lost/destroyed in simailar fashion to what happened in the NFL.
 
Sirkickyass said:
If it can be proved that he actually said it, no. Truth is still a defense to defamation regardless.

However if he can convince someone that he didn't say it then it's a pretty important issue because it significantly enhances what the ref has to prove to win. It's also very important procedurally because, for example, the AP could argue on summary judgment that he's a public figure and his pleadings don't establish that the AP reporter knew the statement was false or that he had a reckless disregard for the truth.

BTW if you're the NBA you want this lawsuit to go away as fast as possible.

EDIT: If you're actually interested in the public figure thing this is the place to start: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_Co._v._Sullivan
Click to expand...


are u a laywer?

what kind?
 
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