Agent Casey Close sues radio host over Freeman allegation

NEW YORK (AP) — Freddy Freeman’s former agent and his firm sued a radio host for libel on Thursday, alleging Doug Gottlieb falsely claimed Casey Shut by no means knowledgeable the primary baseman of the Atlanta Braves’ final contract supply.

Shut and Excel Sports activities Administration filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, alleging defamation by libel. They accused Gottlieb of “false, disparaging and derogatory” feedback in a tweet they claimed was made “in a grossly irresponsible method with out due consideration for the requirements of knowledge gathering and dissemination ordinarily adopted by accountable events.”

The 58-year-old Shut is a principal of Excel and one in all three managing companions. He has represented a number of hundred baseball gamers, together with Corridor of Famer Derek Jeter.

Gottlieb, 46, is affiliated with Fox Sports activities, the Pac-12 Community and CBS Sports activities, in keeping with the swimsuit.

“Though we gave Mr. Gottlieb a possibility to retract his false assertion, he failed to take action,” Shut stated in a press release. “The grievance units the report straight as to what occurred throughout the negotiations with the Atlanta Braves.”

A producer at Fox Sports activities Radio Community stated Gottlieb was touring in Israel and a message looking for remark could be despatched to him.

The swimsuit alleges Shut has acquired loss of life threats from individuals he believes to be Braves followers.

Shut stated within the swimsuit that the Braves on March 29, 2021, supplied Freeman a $110 million, five-year deal beginning in 2022, then made a $125 million, five-year proposal on Aug. 1 and a $135 million proposal on Aug. 4, all rejected by Freeman.

Shut stated he and the Braves had their remaining two conversations a few Freeman contract this March 12 and he made two proposals to the staff that day that had been rejected. Shut stated he requested the staff if it had any supply he may current Freeman and was instructed the staff didn’t.

Shut stated he instantly knowledgeable Freeman of all conversations with the Braves on March 12.

Atlanta introduced on March 14 it had acquired first baseman Matt Olson from Oakland, signaling the staff now not was making an attempt to retain Freeman. On March 17, Freeman signed a $162 million, six-year contract with the Dodgers.

On June 29, Gottlieb tweeted: “Casey Shut by no means instructed Freddie Freeman concerning the Braves remaining supply, that’s the reason Freeman fired him. He discovered in Atlanta this weekend. It isn’t that uncommon to have occur in MLB, nevertheless it occurred __ Shut knew Freddie would have taken the ATL deal.”

Freeman acquired his World Collection ring on June 24 earlier than his first sport with the Dodgers in Atlanta, and Shut stated Freeman terminated him as his designated participant agent a number of days later.

Shut and Excel stated Gottlieb had not complied with their demand to retract the feedback in his tweet.

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Extra AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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