NBA official Bill Spooner sues writer for tweet

[APG]

Report: NBA referee Bill Spooner files lawsuit over writer's tweet - ESPN

[JugglingReferee]

Seeing how the Donaghy situation likely isn't forgotten about yet, and if the writer's claim is false, I'd sue too. His integrity is seriously questioned by this writer. The NBA should be knocking on the AP's doors as well.

[just another ref]

The writer tossing around the terms "bad call" and "even worse call" so casually destroys any credibility he might have had. This is no more worthy of our attention than countless other articles. If there is any truth to it, one would think Coach Rambis would report it through the proper channels.

[amusedofficial]

Originally Posted by just another ref

The writer tossing around the terms "bad call" and "even worse call" so casually destroys any credibility he might have had. This is no more worthy of our attention than countless other articles.

I disagree.

This is much worse. We're used to having calls criticized, or to being called incompetent, stupid, too old, too young, too out-of-shape or too blind. That's an expression of an opinion as to our work. Sometimes they're even right.

However, for someone to "publish" the accusation that someone agreed to intentionally tank a call is actionable libel. Make no mistake about it, putting it on tweeter is "publication" in the legal sense.

A statement from a coach "reporting it through channels" is evidence, admissible at trial. But the coach's statement can be taken as proof of the writer's reckless disregard for the facts, one of the elements of libel against a person in the public eye. Even if Spooner said he'd "get it back" the reporter shows reckless disregard by not asking the official what he meant and writing in a context that suggests official intended to compromise his integrity.

The Associated Press will retract and "regret the error" before too many more sunsets pass. Even if it's not libel I cannot imagine how it meets the AP's standards for reporting and commentary.

[M&M Guy]

Was the tweet done in an official writing capacity, or was it done on the writer's personal account, simply giving personal opinions? Wouldn't there be a different standard between the two?

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Was the tweet done in an official writing capacity, or was it done on the writer's personal account, simply giving personal opinions? Wouldn't there be a different standard between the two?

I suspect if there are 'followers' and there are promos to become a 'follower', that it being a 'personal' account has no bearing on the matter.

[KMBReferee]

Originally Posted by amusedofficial

However, for someone to "publish" the accusation that someone agreed to intentionally tank a call is actionable libel. Make no mistake about it, putting it on tweeter is "publication" in the legal sense.

A statement from a coach "reporting it through channels" is evidence, admissible at trial. But the coach's statement can be taken as proof of the writer's reckless disregard for the facts, one of the elements of libel against a person in the public eye.

Agreed. And I might add that most, if not all, sports reporters identify themselves as such on Twitter and are followed on Twitter for that express purpose.

Even if Spooner said he'd "get it back" the reporter shows reckless disregard by not asking the official what he meant and writing in a context that suggests official intended to compromise his integrity.

Disagree on this one. If Spooner said he'd "get it back", then he has no case whatsoever. In fact, the NBA should investigate (which is probably what brought on this lawsuit in the first place), and consider not retaining him for next season. There's no gray area in a statement like that, and such a thing has no place in officiating, IMO.

As anyone can see, that tweet had long-term ramifications that could cost Spooner his job. That's why he filed the lawsuit. He probably had to in order to clear his name and stay in good standing with the NBA. It's one thing for Joe Blow on Twitter to tweet and say it. But when you're a national beat writer, it comes with a whole different perspective and credibility. And as such, a false accusation hurts Spooner and threatens his job.

So if Jon Krawczynski lied, I hope the judge adds punitive damages on top of the specified ones. Reporters can't get away with lying on officials.

[Adam]

Chances are he mis-heard the statement made by Spooner, and his preconceived bias led him to believe the worst of what he heard.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Was the tweet done in an official writing capacity, or was it done on the writer's personal account, simply giving personal opinions? Wouldn't there be a different standard between the two?

My understanding in that profession, your personal life and your career are not that separate when you are making statements when you are covering an event as a journalist. It sounds like he took a conversation and tweeted it, rather than asking all the parties if the information was even true. And he is an AP writer, not a columnist. If that would not be acceptable in his job, I doubt his opinion would be acceptable here.

Peace

[Tio]

That you have to be careful what you say. You never know who is listening and how they may twist the words.