$25 million awarded to an Oklahoma man after a jury concludes that the state’s largest newspaper intentionally harmed him by falsely identifying him as a high school sports announcer who made racist remarks to players. was awarded damages.
Scott Sapulpa was one of two announcers who provided commentary for the girls’ playoff game between Midwest City High School and Norman High School in March 2021, when the Norman team suffered a knee injury. Then, another commentator, Matt Rowan, made national headlines after going on a racist rant. girls.
“Are they kneeling? Damn, n—-s. I hope Norman gets their ass kicked. Fuck them. I hope they lose. They Are you going to take a knee like that?” Rowan said as the match was being livestreamed.
Approximately 30 seconds later, the unidentified announcer muttered something indistinguishable before referring to the student-athlete again using a highly offensive slur with an emphasis on profanity.
However, in its initial coverage of the incident, The Oklahoman incorrectly reported that Sapulpa was the one who made the racist remarks.
He subsequently filed a lawsuit for defamation and infliction of emotional distress, and suffered lasting damages due to his wrongful status, even though his name appeared in the article for less than three hours. He claimed to have suffered.
On Monday, a jury agreed with him and ordered Gannett, the parent company of The Oklahoman, to pay $5 million in actual damages and an additional $20 million in punitive damages.
After the incident, attorney Michael Burkett said, “I’m so happy for Scott.” “I hope this clears his name.”
He argued in court last week that the case would set a precedent for other newspapers. According to NonDoc.com.
“As we’ve seen in this case, their whole culture is about profit over people,” Burkett said. “Their power prevents them from telling the truth. They think they can get away with it.”
But Bob Neron, Gannett’s attorney, said the company recognized the mistake and quickly removed Sapulpa’s name.
He argued that providing Sapulpa with such a large sum of money would harm the small community newspapers it owns.
“Newspapers are made up of humans, and humans make mistakes. Mistakes happen,” Neron said.
“Gannett is made up of over 11,000 people. Punishing Gannett means punishing every small-town newspaper editor.”
The Oklahoman published a story about racist remarks at a high school basketball game around 11 a.m. the day after the incident.
Updated at 12:37 p.m., incorrectly identifying the person who used the racial slur as Sapulpa.
Two and a half hours later, his name was removed.
Rowan later admitted it was him and his name appeared in the article at 5:35 p.m. He later claimed that he made the comments because he is diabetic.
Still, Sapulpa’s lawyers say that as a result of the false background check, he was placed on administrative leave, his teaching contract was not renewed, his private practice lost nearly all of its clients, he received death threats, and his personal and professional He claimed to have lost relationships.
After Monday’s sentencing, Sapulpa said he felt “numb,” NonDoc.com reported.
“My children, their last names have also been erased,” he said through tears.
But Gannett said he would appeal the ruling.
“There was no evidence presented to the jury that The Oklahoman acted with knowledge that its reporting was false or with any intent to harm the plaintiffs in this case,” a spokesperson for the media conglomerate said. Lark Marie Anton said. statement.
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