In a complex legal battle involving the Arizona Cardinals and former executive Terry McDonough, recent developments have resulted in mixed outcomes. Jeffrey Mishkin, an arbitrator appointed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, concluded that the Cardinals defamed McDonough. However, a federal judge in Arizona dismissed defamation claims filed by McDonough and his family against the team. The ruling came as McDonough sought up to $125 million in damages.
The dispute began when the Cardinals issued a CounterPoint Statement accusing McDonough of "extreme domestic violence" and claimed he "abandoned responsibility" for his daughter, cutting her off financially. These allegations led McDonough, his wife, and daughter to file a defamation lawsuit against the Cardinals, their law firm Gallagher & Kennedy, and public relations firm CounterPoint. Despite these efforts, Judge Lanza ruled that the claims were unwarranted, leading to their dismissal.
McDonough, who served as vice president of player personnel for the Cardinals over ten seasons, had accused the organization of making false statements that damaged his reputation. While the federal court dismissed his claims for unlawful retaliation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and invasion of privacy, an NFL arbitrator ordered the Cardinals to pay nearly $3 million to McDonough for making "false and defamatory" statements.
The legal proceedings took place in a district court in Arizona, where Judge Lanza granted motions to compel arbitration by the law firm and PR firm involved, subsequently removing them from federal court. This decision further complicated the legal landscape for McDonough's defamation claims against these entities.
In response to the arbitrator's findings, the Cardinals have denied all allegations. The organization remains firm in its stance despite being ordered to compensate McDonough for defamatory actions. The case underscores the complexities of legal disputes involving high-profile sports organizations and former employees.
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