Reynolds sues ESPN over firing
Posted 10/30/2006 9:57 PM ET
By Michael Hiestand, USA TODAY
Former ESPN baseball analyst Harold Reynolds on Monday filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the cable network in a Connecticut state court.
Reynolds was fired in July after signing a six-year contract in March that his suit claims would have paid approximately $1 million annually.
Reynolds' suit seeks at least $5 million for that lost contract as well as unspecified amounts for "damages for lost future opportunities."
Reynolds, who worked at ESPN for 11 years, claims in his suit that he was "widely regarded as having excellent moral character" at the cable network. The suit says Reynolds' contract said he could be fired for "failure to perform" — which the suit said never happened — or "egregious action ... which would constitute an act of moral turpitude." But the suit adds that ESPN gave Reynolds "no specific reason" for his firing.
The lawsuit does mention that Reynolds gave an "innocuous hug" to a female intern who didn't express any discomfort and "made no complaint until approximately three weeks later."
The suit also claims that ESPN won't allow Reynolds or workers for Connecticut state agencies to gain access to his personnel file. It also says that ESPN's investigation into Reynolds' alleged misconduct was inadequate.
Reynolds told USA TODAY on Monday that, after private negotiations with ESPN, he "agonized" over filing his suit. But, he says, "it's time for me to stand up and say, 'Enough is enough.' ... The main thing is I need to clear my name. ... There are so many rumors and misinformation flying around, it makes me sick."
Reynolds added that his "conscience is clear" and he's done nothing wrong.
ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys responded Monday that Reynolds' suit is "without merit. We stand by our decision. We have no further comment now that litigation has begun."
Posted 10/30/2006 9:57 PM ET
By Michael Hiestand, USA TODAY
Former ESPN baseball analyst Harold Reynolds on Monday filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the cable network in a Connecticut state court.
Reynolds was fired in July after signing a six-year contract in March that his suit claims would have paid approximately $1 million annually.
Reynolds' suit seeks at least $5 million for that lost contract as well as unspecified amounts for "damages for lost future opportunities."
Reynolds, who worked at ESPN for 11 years, claims in his suit that he was "widely regarded as having excellent moral character" at the cable network. The suit says Reynolds' contract said he could be fired for "failure to perform" — which the suit said never happened — or "egregious action ... which would constitute an act of moral turpitude." But the suit adds that ESPN gave Reynolds "no specific reason" for his firing.
The lawsuit does mention that Reynolds gave an "innocuous hug" to a female intern who didn't express any discomfort and "made no complaint until approximately three weeks later."
The suit also claims that ESPN won't allow Reynolds or workers for Connecticut state agencies to gain access to his personnel file. It also says that ESPN's investigation into Reynolds' alleged misconduct was inadequate.
Reynolds told USA TODAY on Monday that, after private negotiations with ESPN, he "agonized" over filing his suit. But, he says, "it's time for me to stand up and say, 'Enough is enough.' ... The main thing is I need to clear my name. ... There are so many rumors and misinformation flying around, it makes me sick."
Reynolds added that his "conscience is clear" and he's done nothing wrong.
ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys responded Monday that Reynolds' suit is "without merit. We stand by our decision. We have no further comment now that litigation has begun."
