In a significant development, a federal judge in Arizona has dismissed claims of defamation brought forth by former Arizona Cardinals executive Terry McDonough, along with his wife and daughter, against the NFL franchise, its law firm, and public relations firm. The decision, handed down by Judge Dominic Lanza in district court on Thursday, marks a notable turning point in the ongoing legal battle between McDonough and his former employer.
NFL Arbitrator’s Prior Ruling
The dismissal of the defamation claims comes on the heels of a prior ruling by an NFL arbitrator last year, which had ordered the Cardinals to pay nearly $3 million to McDonough as compensation for making “false and defamatory” statements about him to the media. Jeffrey Mishkin, the arbitrator appointed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, determined that the Cardinals had defamed McDonough in a CounterPoint Statement, which had accused him of “extreme domestic violence” and claimed he had “abandoned responsibility” for his daughter and “cut her off financially.”
Dismissal of Additional Claims
In addition to the defamation claims, Judge Lanza also dismissed McDonough’s claims for unlawful retaliation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and invasion of privacy. The former Cardinals executive had sought up to $125 million in total damages from the defendants, which included the team, their external law firm Gallagher & Kennedy, and external PR firm Counterpoint.
Cardinals’ Response to the Decision
Following the court’s decision, the Cardinals issued a statement expressing their satisfaction with the outcome:
“We are pleased with the arbitrator’s decision dismissing all of Terry McDonough’s employment claims and finding that there was nothing improper about his dismissal from the team. As for Mr. McDonough’s other claim, we respect the arbitrator’s determination that our initial statement went too far. We accept responsibility for that statement and are grateful that the arbitration is now resolved.”
McDonough’s Tenure with the Cardinals
Terry McDonough had been a prominent figure within the Cardinals organization, having worked in the team’s front office for ten seasons. He held the position of Vice President of Player Personnel for several years during his tenure. The legal battle between McDonough and the Cardinals has been closely watched by those in the sports industry, given the high-profile nature of the parties involved and the serious allegations at stake.
Implications and Next Steps
While the dismissal of the defamation claims and the court’s decision to compel arbitration for some of McDonough’s other claims represent a significant victory for the Cardinals, their law firm, and PR firm, it remains to be seen whether this marks the end of the legal proceedings. The possibility of appeals or further legal action cannot be ruled out at this stage.
The case also highlights the importance of carefully crafted public statements and the potential legal ramifications that can arise from defamatory remarks, even in the high-stakes world of professional sports. As the dust settles on this latest development, the Arizona Cardinals and Terry McDonough will undoubtedly be assessing their next moves and the long-term impact of this contentious legal battle on their respective futures.
