Conor McGregor is facing a new civil lawsuit filed by a woman who claims he sexually assaulted her during the 2023 NBA Finals in Miami.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, also names the Miami Heat and Basketball Properties LLC, which operates Caseya Center, as defendants. A woman claims McGregor sexually assaulted her in an arena bathroom after Game 4 between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets on June 9, 2023.
The plaintiff, described as a 49-year-old Wall Street vice president, alleges that McGregor was offered alcohol by arena staff even though he was clearly intoxicated. The lawsuit accuses McGregor and the Caseya Center of gross negligence for failing to provide a safe environment. The company alleges that after a co-worker forcibly brought the woman to McGregor, McGregor led her to a bathroom stall and sexually assaulted her.
The lawsuit seeks more than $75,000 in damages, medical bills and other relief.
The incident was first reported to Miami Police on June 11, 2023, but the Florida Attorney's Office declined to file criminal charges in October 2023. Mr McGregor denied the allegations and insisted it was a “shakedown”. His attorney, Barbara Llanes, said, “After nearly two years and at least three attorneys, the plaintiff has told a new false story. We are confident that this case will also be dismissed.”
The lawsuit also highlights an incident that night in which McGregor punched the Miami Heat mascot Bernie during a halftime skit promoting a painkiller spray, resulting in the mascot being hospitalized. Despite this, arena staff allegedly continued to provide McGregor with alcohol.
Jim Dunn, the plaintiff's attorney, said civil litigation is the only path to justice for his client. Dunn said her client aims to raise awareness about sexual assault and was concerned about the potential impact the lawsuit could have on her career. “Nonetheless, her primary purpose in filing this lawsuit is to raise awareness about sexual assault and encourage others to report sexual assault,” Dunn said.
McGregor, one of the most prominent fighters in the UFC, has not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021. He was recently ordered to pay $264,000 in damages in a separate civil case in Ireland.
Neither the Miami Heat nor Basketball Properties LLC have commented on the lawsuit.
