• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Law

Michael Irvin Says Marriott ‘Should Suffer the Consequences’

  • Irvin was removed from the air by the NFL Network when allegations surfaced.
  • The Hall of Famer, suing Marriott for $100 million, has not seen the video footage.
Michael Irvin makes case in his lawsuit against Marriott.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Irvin compared Marriott’s handling of a hotel employee’s misconduct allegation to lynching in a Wednesday news conference at his attorney’s office in Dallas. 

The media availability was the latest twist in Irvin’s quest to view the footage from the Feb. 5 alleged incident at Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel that led the former Dallas Cowboys star to be suspended as an NFL Network Analyst. Irvin, who was in Phoenix to work Super Bowl LVII, retold how he was forced out of the hotel the morning after the incident over the unspecified allegations made by a woman employee. 

“This sickens me,” Irvin said. “This takes me back to a time where a white woman would accuse a Black man of something, and they’d drag him through the mud and hang him by a tree. … It just blows my mind that in 2023 we are still dragging, and hanging brothers.”

Irvin said he had not seen the video that a federal judge in Texas granted access to last week. His attorney, Levi McCathern, viewed the footage ahead of a Tuesday deadline. Still, he filed a motion Wednesday — part of a $100 million lawsuit filed against Marriott — to get a copy of the interaction that led to the allegation of misconduct. 

“To not listen to the court, Marriott is above the law because I still haven’t seen this tape,” Irvin said. “I want to see what I’ve been accused of. Why did that put my whole life on hold? Why does my family have to endure [this]? If I did something wrong, I’ll suffer the consequences of me doing something wrong.

“But if [Marriott] did something wrong, then they should suffer the consequences of what they did wrong.”

Minus the video to show reporters, McCathern described what he saw. 

“This is a public lobby with tons of people going back and forth,” McCathern said. “When they first greet each other, they shake hands, and Michael starts to talk. … He shakes her hand at the beginning. He shakes her hand at the end. He, one time, touches her on the elbow as many of you who have interviewed Michael know [he] does when he talks. One other time, he buckles over laughing, and he kind of brushes her with his hand against her other elbow.

“That is it. She clearly never acts upset. She doesn’t back away from Michael. She doesn’t act like there’s any kind of problem going on there at all. The conversation lasted about a minute and a half.”

Two witnesses also spoke via Zoom at the news conference, neither describing anything amiss about what took place in a bar area of the hotel. Neither Irvin nor McCathern took questions. 

“Repeated attempts were made to get the Renaissance to interview [witnesses] to clear Michael’s name,” McCathern said. “He has been taken off of NFL Network. He’s been taken off a show on ESPN [First Take]. Obviously, he’s very, very eager to clear his name and clear up these allegations. Well, how do you do that when you don’t even know what you’re being accused of? And how do you do that when the people that are making the allegations won’t tell you what they are?”

Marriott and its attorneys representing the hotel chain in the case did not return calls from Front Office Sports. But on Wednesday afternoon, Marriott’s attorneys wrote in a filing that it “fully complied with the court’s order and produced the video recording in accordance” with court rules.

“Neither the court’s order nor plaintiff’s corresponding request requires that plaintiff be provided a copy of the video or that he be allowed to make his own copy,” Marriott’s attorneys wrote in the filing.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL London Fans Get Partial Refunds After Ticket App Glitches

Fans experienced delays entering the Vikings-Browns game.
Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.

Packers-Cowboys Draws 26.9M Viewers, NFL’s No. 3 Game of ’25

The Packers-Cowboys clash was the NFL’s third-most-watched game of 2025.

Featured Today

Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits out of the rough on the first hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 25, 2025

Ryder Cup in New York: Record-Setting Hopes and Fan Concerns

Organizers anticipate record attendance and revenue, but worry remains about fan behavior.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 22: Cameron Young of Team USA hits his tee shot on the third hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup Practice Round at Bethpage State Park on Monday, September 22, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 23, 2025

U.S. Ryder Cup Players Will Be Paid. Not Everyone Is Pleased

Americans are receiving a $200,000 stipend, and not everyone is pleased.
Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans former quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (left) and Matt Leinart watch from the sidelines during the Pac-12 Championship game against the Utah Utes at Allegiant Stadium.

Mark Sanchez, Fox Sports Sued Over Alley Fight That Turned Bloody

The high-profile incident took place Saturday night in Indianapolis.
Apr 16, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis speaks during a FIFA Club World Cup press conference at Audi Field.
October 1, 2025

San Diego Wave Owners Sue Jill Ellis for Abandoning Team After Sale

Ellis allegedly broke a pledge by leaving for FIFA after the sale.
Jon Gruden
October 3, 2025

Jon Gruden’s Case Against NFL Gets Closer to Open Court

The Nevada Supreme Court ruled unanimously against the NFL’s appeal. 
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
Brian Flores
September 30, 2025

Brian Flores Asks Court to Halt NFL Arbitration

The war between Flores’s lawyers and an NFL arbitrator has heated up.
Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans co-founder and former owner Janice McNair (left) sits with Texans chief executive officer Cal McNair and wife Hannah McNair in front of family members of Texans former player Andre Johnson (not pictured) during a ceremony at halftime of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium.
September 29, 2025

NFL Sued for $100M Over Efforts to ‘Silence’ Brother of Texans Owner

Robert Cary McNair Jr. says the NFL helped remove him from roles.
Apr 11, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) grabs a rebound during the second half against Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) at Moda Center.
September 26, 2025

RAJ Sports Sues Panda Express Owners for Dumping Them in Blazers Bid

RAJ Sports says it led a group that sought to buy the Blazers.
Mar 26, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Detail view of the logo and basketballs during NCAA Tournament West Regional Practice at Chase Center.
September 26, 2025

Judge Dismisses Multiple Claims in Transgender Participation Lawsuit

The lawsuit was brought in 2024 by conservative activist Riley Gaines and others.