Harold Reynolds suing ESPN for wrongful termination - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Derek from NY · 10-31-2006, 08:01 PM

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -Former ESPN baseball analyst Harold Reynolds sued the network for at least $5 million Tuesday, saying he was wrongly fired after a female intern complained about what he called a "brief and innocuous" hug.

Reynolds joined the sports network in 1996 after a dozen seasons as a major leaguer and was fired July 24. According to his lawsuit, filed in New Britain Superior Court, ESPN terminated his new six-year, $6 million contract without specific reasons.

"I have tried everything possible to handle this situation quietly behind the scenes," Reynolds said in a statement released Tuesday. "After numerous conversations and multiple mediation discussions with ESPN executives it is clear that ESPN had no intention of solving this problem amicably."

Reynolds is seeking the money owed to him under the remainder of his contract, including interest and lost earnings. He is also asking the court for damages for lost future opportunities.

ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said Tuesday that Reynolds' allegations are without merit and the network stands by its decision to terminate his contract.

"We have no further comment now that litigation has begun," Krulewitz said.

According to the lawsuit, ESPN terminated Reynolds' contract "for cause," but gave no further explanation or specific reasons. It also alleges that ESPN has refused to give Reynolds or state labor officials a copy of his personnel file.

His contract, according to the lawsuit, said he could only be fired for "failure to perform," which required "intentional or continual activities" contrary to ESPN's instructions, or else required "willful or egregious action ... which would constitute an act of moral turpitude."

"Mr. Reynolds has never, in his career as a baseball player or with ESPN, intentionally engaged in a 'failure to perform' his duties in any material respect," the lawsuit said. "For example, he was punctual, well-prepared, professional, creative and personable, both in the studio and on remote assignments."

Joseph Garrison, a New Haven-based lawyer for Reynolds, said, "Moral turpitude, in my opinion, is not reflected by an innocuous hug. I think the case is very strong."

The lawsuit said Reynolds hugged a female intern in July and the two had dinner later the same night. Reynolds has not seen the intern since, and she made no complaints about his actions until three weeks later, the lawsuit said.

"For 11 years I served ESPN with enthusiasm and dedication," Reynolds said. "It is unfortunate that ESPN has handled this process in an unprofessional manner. At the end of the day my integrity, reputation and family are my top priorities, and for those reasons I need to set the record straight and clear my name."

Reynolds played for the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles and the California Angels before joining ESPN. He won three Gold Glove awards and one stolen base title and was a two-time All-Star.

Dr. John Becker · 10-31-2006, 08:24 PM

I hope Harold wins. That was a poor reason for ESPN to fire him.

TVFactFan · 10-31-2006, 11:53 PM

He desrves to be FIRED because he had no business going out to dinner with a Female Intern. I just can't believe he can be that stupid. What the hell is a INNOCENT HUG?-lol

TVFactFan · 10-31-2006, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. John Becker

I hope Harold wins. That was a poor reason for ESPN to fire him.

A POOR REASON????_LOL He took a FEMALE INTERN TO DINNER, he should have known better. What a a$$hole

Derek from NY · 11-01-2006, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

A POOR REASON????_LOL He took a FEMALE INTERN TO DINNER, he should have known better. What a a$$hole

Really. He was better off taking John Kruk to dinner.

loren · 11-01-2006, 03:04 PM

i dont care if he pinced her girl parts

he was getting free money, since he sucked at his job

he did more flip flops than a bush campaign

now if only jabba the hut looking fat ass kruk could hug soemone

then maybe we could get some baseball people on the show

TVFactFan · 11-01-2006, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loren

i dont care if he pinced her girl parts

he was getting free money, since he sucked at his job

he did more flip flops than a bush campaign

now if only jabba the hut looking fat ass kruk could hug soemone

then maybe we could get some baseball people on the show

I always thought he sucked too

10-31-2006, 08:01 PM	#1
Derek from NY Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 31, 2006 Posts: 88	Harold Reynolds suing ESPN for wrongful termination HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -Former ESPN baseball analyst Harold Reynolds sued the network for at least $5 million Tuesday, saying he was wrongly fired after a female intern complained about what he called a "brief and innocuous" hug. Reynolds joined the sports network in 1996 after a dozen seasons as a major leaguer and was fired July 24. According to his lawsuit, filed in New Britain Superior Court, ESPN terminated his new six-year, $6 million contract without specific reasons. "I have tried everything possible to handle this situation quietly behind the scenes," Reynolds said in a statement released Tuesday. "After numerous conversations and multiple mediation discussions with ESPN executives it is clear that ESPN had no intention of solving this problem amicably." Reynolds is seeking the money owed to him under the remainder of his contract, including interest and lost earnings. He is also asking the court for damages for lost future opportunities. ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said Tuesday that Reynolds' allegations are without merit and the network stands by its decision to terminate his contract. "We have no further comment now that litigation has begun," Krulewitz said. According to the lawsuit, ESPN terminated Reynolds' contract "for cause," but gave no further explanation or specific reasons. It also alleges that ESPN has refused to give Reynolds or state labor officials a copy of his personnel file. His contract, according to the lawsuit, said he could only be fired for "failure to perform," which required "intentional or continual activities" contrary to ESPN's instructions, or else required "willful or egregious action ... which would constitute an act of moral turpitude." "Mr. Reynolds has never, in his career as a baseball player or with ESPN, intentionally engaged in a 'failure to perform' his duties in any material respect," the lawsuit said. "For example, he was punctual, well-prepared, professional, creative and personable, both in the studio and on remote assignments." Joseph Garrison, a New Haven-based lawyer for Reynolds, said, "Moral turpitude, in my opinion, is not reflected by an innocuous hug. I think the case is very strong." The lawsuit said Reynolds hugged a female intern in July and the two had dinner later the same night. Reynolds has not seen the intern since, and she made no complaints about his actions until three weeks later, the lawsuit said. "For 11 years I served ESPN with enthusiasm and dedication," Reynolds said. "It is unfortunate that ESPN has handled this process in an unprofessional manner. At the end of the day my integrity, reputation and family are my top priorities, and for those reasons I need to set the record straight and clear my name." Reynolds played for the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles and the California Angels before joining ESPN. He won three Gold Glove awards and one stolen base title and was a two-time All-Star.

10-31-2006, 08:24 PM	#2
Dr. John Becker A Great American Senior Member Join Date: Sep 12, 2003 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 2,645	I hope Harold wins. That was a poor reason for ESPN to fire him.
	__________________ Romney/Ryan 2012

10-31-2006, 11:53 PM	#3
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,129	He desrves to be FIRED because he had no business going out to dinner with a Female Intern. I just can't believe he can be that stupid. What the hell is a INNOCENT HUG?-lol

11-01-2006, 03:04 PM	#6
loren Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 1,516	i dont care if he pinced her girl parts he was getting free money, since he sucked at his job he did more flip flops than a bush campaign now if only jabba the hut looking fat ass kruk could hug soemone then maybe we could get some baseball people on the show