• Loading stock data...
Thursday, November 7, 2024
DEADLINE EXTENDED: The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open through Nov. 13 Learn More
Law

Attorney Says Michael Irvin ‘Deserves’ Footage of Hotel Incident

  • Irvin’s lawyer seeks expedited discovery in federal court to obtain footage of incident at a Phoenix hotel.
  • A state court judge granted same motion before Marriott secured case’s removal to federal court.
Michael Irvin
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Irvin’s legal team stepped up its pursuit of video footage of Irvin’s interaction with a Phoenix hotel employee, one that a Texas state judge ordered to be released. 

“Irvin deserves to see the security footage that has led to the derailment of his livelihood and continues to inflict harm upon him so that he may seek to exonerate himself with the NFL and be reinstated on the NFL Network,” attorney Levi McCathern wrote in a motion for expedited discovery that was made public on Wednesday.

Irvin was accused of misconduct by an employee at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel — a Marriott property — on Feb. 5, a week before Super Bowl LVII.

The original complaint — where Irvin seeks $100 million in damages — was filed in Collin County, Texas, court. According to the filing, a judge granted an expedited discovery and set a Monday deadline for Marriott to turn over the requested footage. 

On the same day, McCathern wrote Marriott “filed its notice of removal essentially nullifying the State Court’s order.” The lawsuit is currently in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. 

The former Dallas Cowboys great was evicted from the hotel the morning after the alleged incident, according to the lawsuit. 

“Little did Irvin know, [Marriott] had also contacted his employer—the NFL—to further embarrass and defame him,” McCathern wrote in the filing. “The NFL responded by immediately removing Irvin from all scheduled programming surrounding the Super Bowl on NFL Network and ESPN. 

“Despite Irvin’s diligent efforts, he has been unable to ascertain who specifically made these allegations to the NFL and why they were reported to the NFL without any further investigation by [Marriott].”

In its response filed in Collin County, Marriott explained why it’s under no legal obligation to provide the video to Irvin or his legal team. 

Marriott’s counsel wrote that Irvin’s request for expedited discovery for the video “is overly broad, unduly burdensome, irrelevant, vague and ambiguous.”

Irvin’s attorneys submitted affidavits produced by a private detective agency with statements from three witnesses who were near the site of the alleged incident at the time it took place. 

  • One “observed a female waitress or employee from the bar” approach Irvin. The interaction lasted 45 seconds or less and “seemed jovial.”
  • Another witness stated that Irvin had “a short conversation” with the employee and “did not notice anything unusual or did not see anyone acting upset.”
  • The third witness said the interaction between Irvin and the employee “seemed jovial” and added “he “did not observe any reaction from the waitress…indicating nothing stuck out as a traumatic event.”
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Lululemon-Fanatics Collab With NHL Sees ‘Explosive’ First-Day Sales

The premium collection made up 80% of all NHL merch sales.
Feb 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; Team King defender Savannah Harmon (15) scores against Team Kloss goaltender Nicole Hensley (29) during the PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase during NHL All-Star Thursday at Scotiabank Arena.

PWHL Will Add Two Teams in Expansion Move

Possible new sites include Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Quebec City.

Jerry Jones’s Threats Aren’t Empty. A Legend Who Defied Him Knows

Jones threatened Dallas radio hosts after facing tough questions following a loss.

NFL TV Ratings Down in Week 6 As Chiefs Rest, Cowboys Wilt

Most of the NFL’s broadcast partners suffered.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Is Trump Recruiting Sports Figures for Future Cabinet?

0:00

Featured Today

NFL Center Connor McGovern Is the Heir to a Potato Empire

The NFL vet’s family provides potatoes for McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and others.
Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion
November 2, 2024

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
November 1, 2024

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
Brett Favre and Donald Trump

What Donald Trump’s Win Means for Welfare Probe, Brett Favre

Favre spoke at Trump’s rally last week in Green Bay, Wis.
Oct 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) and forward LeBron James (23) warm up before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.
October 24, 2024

LeBron and Bronny James Target of Lawsuit Over 2022 Car Crash

They made history Tuesday as the NBA’s first father-son teammates.
October 25, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About the Kawhi Leonard Lawsuit

A longtime trainer of Leonard’s is suing the Clippers for wrongful termination.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Apr 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; WWE owner Vince McMahon enters the arena during WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium.
October 23, 2024

Former WWE ‘Ring Boys’ Allege Vince McMahon ‘Allowed’ Sexual Abuse

The suit claims the WWE and the McMahons “failed these boys.”
Former UFC fighter Cung Le
October 23, 2024

Judge Allows Reworked $375 Million Settlement for UFC Fighters to Move Forward 

Hundreds of fighters could start to see six-figure payouts next year.
Feb 9, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; A DraftKings countdown clock on radio row at the Super Bowl LVII media center at the Phoenix Convention Center.
October 22, 2024

DraftKings, Former Exec Talk Settlement in Marathon Legal Battle

The case revolves around the enforcement of a one-year non-compete agreement.
October 18, 2024

Lawsuit Targets Illegal Prop and Pick ’Em Bets

PrizePicks paid $15 million to New York regulators for a similar reason.