PHOENIX –Last year, an NFL arbitrator ordered that the Arizona Cardinals pay $3 million to ex-Cardinals vice president of player personnel Terry McDonough after claims of the team making defamatory statements about him. The Cardinals took the case to a federal judge in district court, and nearly a year after the NFL’s verdict, the judge ruled to dismiss the claims of defamation against McDonough. Judge Dominic Lanza passed the motion to seek arbitration for the law firm and PR firm regarding McDonough’s lawsuit, thus removing the case from federal court.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Cardinals released this statement about the dismissal:
“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.”
The lawsuit began after McDonough was relieved of his duties in January of 2023. He had been with the Cardinals for nearly a decade, and his departure was questionable. However, in a CounterPoint Statement, the Cardinals accused McDonough of “extreme domestic violence” and “abandoned responsibility” for his daughter.
Originally, McDonough wanted $125 million in unlawful retaliation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He filed a lawsuit alleging defamation by the defendants: the Cardinals, their external law firm (Gallagher & Kennedy), and external PR firm (Counterpoint). However, Judge Lanza determined Thursday the claims made by McDonough were unwarranted, and the case against the Cardinals was dismissed.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
