By Greg Hazley
Former Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach has sued ESPN and Spaeth Communications, charging the network and PR firm with making damaging statements and misinformation.
Leach
Image: ESPN |
Leach was fired Dec. 30, 2009 amid allegations that he abused a concussed player, Adam James.
Spaeth, which has offices in Dallas and Houston, was hired to represent James' father, Craig James, a commentator on ESPN who asked the university the investigate an incident in which his son was allegedly ordered by the coach to stand in an equipment closet for hours. Details of the school's investigation were then reported by ESPN.
Leach's attorney, Ted Ligget, believes Spaeth leaked an Internet video shot by James while in the closet to push public opinion on the matter.
His suit alleges "willful and negligent defamation" as ESPN reported information he said was later deemed false. Leach is seeking compensation and retractions from ESPN and the PR firm.
Spaeth blasted the lawsuit in a statement. "Because his effort to sue Texas Tech University individuals failed, it now appears that Coach Leach is looking for someone else to blame, and has shifted his focus to the Craig James family, ESPN and Spaeth Communications," the firm said. "This lawsuit is the predictable strategy of a man who is desperate to avoid accountability for his own behavior."
Related:
Foley: PR Penalty Flags Fly in Leach-James Feud (Jan. 6, 2010)
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