Jury rules NY Times defamed Alabama basketball player, must pay $9.25 million

legal proceedings

An Alabama jury has awarded $9.25 million in damages after finding that The New York Times defamed Kai Spears, a former college basketball player for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The legal action stemmed from a 2023 article that incorrectly reported that Spears was present at the scene of a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa.

In a statement released Thursday, spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander said, "We’re disappointed the jury found The Times liable for an honest mistake."

New York Times correction over a college basketball player wrongly named at the scene of a shooting leads to $9.25 million jury verdict

fortune.com

New York Times defamed ex-college player, must pay him millions, jury says

cbsnews.com

Jury rules N.Y. Times defamed Bama hoops player

espn.com

Jury says The New York Times defamed Alabama basketball player with incorrect story about shooting

independent.co.uk

N.Y. Times loses defamation suit brought by college basketball player

washingtonpost.com

The New York Times Loses Defamation Lawsuit in Alabama

nytimes.com