• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now
Law

Conor McGregor, Miami Heat Sued Over Alleged Sexual Assault at 2023 NBA Finals

The lawsuit alleges that arena security continued to serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated McGregor after he sent a mascot to the hospital.

Conor McGregor
Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Two months after a Dublin civil jury found Conor McGregor liable for sexually assaulting a woman, the fighter is facing more legal trouble.

An anonymous woman filed a lawsuit Tuesday night in Florida, saying McGregor sexually assaulted her at an NBA game in 2023. The Miami Heat, who were hosting a 2023 Finals game, are also named as defendants for overserving McGregor.

The incident first came to light days after the game, when the victim reported the incident to Miami police. That fall, the state attorney’s office announced it would not seek criminal charges in the case. 

The case was filed in the Southern District of Florida and also lists Basketball Properties LLC, which operates the Kaseya Center, as a defendant. She is seeking past and future medical treatment, compensatory damages that exceed $75,000, litigation costs, and other relief. 

The suit alleges that team and arena staff continued to supply the boxer with alcoholic beverages after he was clearly intoxicated. 

The lawsuit accuses McGregor of battery and the Kaseya Center of gross negligence, alleging its staff and security failed to make the arena a safe place by overserving McGregor alcohol.

“The special treatment of [McGregor] by allowing him to pour his own alcoholic drinks as well as the failure to cut [McGregor]’s access to alcoholic beverages off after he was overserved demonstrates a conscious disregard for the safety patrons similarly situated to and including [the plaintiff],” the lawsuit says.  

Some of the night in question was captured on video. McGregor was at the game to promote a pain relief spray and appeared in a halftime skit with the Heat’s mascot. In the skit, he and Burnie, the Heat’s mascot, circle each other, before McGregor punches Burnie in the head, sending him to the ground. While Burnie was on the ground, McGregor landed another punch on the mascot before he and others sprayed him with the promotional product. The person wearing the Burnie suit was later taken to a local hospital.

Conor McGregor seen with a drink on June 9, 2023.
Conor McGregor seen with a drink on June 9, 2023.

The arena staff were aware of Burnie’s injuries, the lawsuit alleges, and continued to bring him alcohol. (Photos from the game show McGregor with a drink in hand courtside.) When the game was over, the suit says, an acquaintance of the fighter’s grabbed the plaintiff’s wrist and led her away from the arena’s courtside club.

The plaintiff asked to be released, but McGregor’s associate said, “Conor will kill me if I lose you,” the complaint said. The plaintiff, Jane Doe, said in the complaint McGregor was “under the influence of intoxicants and out of control.” 

McGregor then appeared and led the plaintiff into an arena bathroom, where, the suit says, he “attempted to forcefully place his unprotected penis into Jane Doe’s mouth without her consent.” The woman tried to escape, but McGregor slammed her into the wall face first, the suit alleges, and put her in an arm lock. She was able to escape and then left the arena. 

McGregor previously said the woman’s claims were “nothing more than a shakedown.” 

James Dunn, the lawyer for the woman, told Front Office Sports that the burden of evidence was lower in Florida civil trials.

“After the Miami-Dade County Prosecutor’s office elected not to pursue criminal charges, a civil case is the only avenue that my client has to seek justice in this case,” Dunn wrote in an email. “My client has thought long and hard about the decision to pursue this civil case, and is fearful of the effect it may have on her job on Wall Street.” 

In July 2023, a month after the incident, the Heat reportedly dropped TIDL as a jersey sponsor for the upcoming season. 

“After a thorough investigation at the time, the State’s Attorney concluded that there was no case to pursue,” McGregor’s lawyer, Barbara Llanes, said in a statement to FOS. “Almost two years and at least three lawyers later the plaintiff has a new false story. We are confident that this case too will be dismissed.”

After the Irish civil verdict, McGregor was ordered to pay $264,000 in damages to Nikita Hand and was dropped by alcohol and grocery sponsors. 

McGregor is one of the most famous and profitable UFC fighters in history, but he hasn’t fought in the Octagon since 2021, when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier. In December, he tweeted that he agreed to an exhibition boxing match in India against Logan Paul, but no date has been formally announced. 

The Heat did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Asinga

Coach of Teen Sprinter Who Sued Gatorade Suspended in Doping Case

Asinga’s case against Gatorade may have just hit a major obstacle.

Mavericks Take Key Step Toward Potential New Casino, Arena in Irving

Mavericks CEO Rick Welts said the team wants to stay in Dallas.
Mar 17, 2025; Jupiter, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Javier Sanoja (46) is congratulated by Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough (86) after scoring against the New York Mets during the third inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Marlins Stop Illegal Practice Squad Idea After MLB Complains

The job would have paid former pro and college players $150 a day.
Arch Manning

EA Sports to Pay Players $1,500 for College Football Game, With Royalties..

A company is still negotiating for royalties, a source tells FOS.

Featured Today

Mar 13, 2025; New York, NY, USA; American businessman and St. John's donor Mike Repole stands and applauds during the second half against the Butler Bulldogs at Madison Square Garden.

‘Back in the Spotlight’: How Mike Repole’s Millions Pulled St. John’s Into..

The billionaire-fueled renaissance put the Johnnies back into the national spotlight.
Auburn Tigers guard Miles Kelly (13) reacts after hitting a three-point shot against Kentucky during the first half in SEC basketball at Rupp Arena Saturday afternoon in Lexington, Kentucky March 1, 2025
March 16, 2025

The SEC’s Ascent to Men’s Basketball Supremacy

The league brought its football pageantry and power to college hoops.
San Diego Wave FC falls to Orlando Pride at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA on April 29, 2023.
March 14, 2025

The New Tailored Approach to Women’s Sports Uniforms

For new women’s sports leagues, every detail is custom.
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) cuts down the net after beating LSU in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament between Iowa and LSU at MVP Arena, Monday, April 1, 2024 in Albany, N.Y.
opinion
March 9, 2025

Reader Mailbag: Leagues Need Must-Watch Moments

Readers responded to NHL success and what it means for other leagues.
Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) and tight end Trey McBride (85) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium.
March 14, 2025

Marvin Harrison Jr., Fanatics End 10-Month-Long Legal Battle

Fanatics initially filed the lawsuit last May for breach of contract.
Nick Kyrgios reacts to a point against Botic van de Zandschulp in the first set of their first-round match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Thursday, March 6, 2025.
March 18, 2025

Novak Djokovic’s PTPA Sues Tennis ‘Cartel’

The 163-page lawsuit was filed in three countries and seeks to reshape the sport.
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.
Dec. 18, 1982; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins quarterback David Woodley (16) is pursued by New York Jets defensive end Mark Gastineau (99) at the Orange Bowl.
March 13, 2025

Mark Gastineau Sues ESPN for $25 Million, Alleging Deceptive Editing of Favre..

Gastineau is a Pro Football Hall of Famer who played from 1979 to 1988.
Ryan Wedding
March 7, 2025

Feds Put $10 Million Bounty on Olympic Snowboarder for Drug Trafficking, Murder

Ryan Wedding competed at the 2002 Winter Games for Canada.
Feb 10, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers Jeanie Buss attends the game against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com arena.
February 28, 2025

Judge Allows Netflix Basketball Show to Stream Despite Pepperdine Trademark Suit

Pepperdine sued Netflix and WBD over “trademark infringement” last week.
Fury vs Wilder III
February 27, 2025

Top Rank Stiffed ‘Fixer’ Millions in Pay: Lawsuit

Keane is described as a “fixer,” who helped land fighters and managed the ESPN relationship.