Sports News Report
Sport: BasketballCountry: United StatesCategory: General

Jury awards $9.25 million to Alabama basketball player in defamation case

3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 3:09 AM

Last updated Aug 21, 2026

Jury awards $9.25 million to Alabama basketball player in defamation case
Summary

An Alabama jury awarded $9.25 million in damages on August 20, 2026, to an Alabama basketball player after finding that The New York Times defamed him. The jury determined that the publication incorrectly stated he was present at the scene of a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa. This ruling follows a legal battle concerning the accuracy of the reporting. The player took legal action after the incident, claiming it severely impacted his reputation and career prospects.

Source Links
ESPNAssociated Press
Key Details
  • •Jury decision occurred on August 20, 2026.
  • •Alabama basketball player was awarded $9.25 million.
  • •The New York Times was found to have made incorrect claims.
  • •The defamation case centered on a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa.
  • •The player argued that the false reporting harmed his professional reputation.
Latest Updates
  • 2:56 AMESPN — Jury rules N.Y. Times defamed Bama hoops player
  • 2:21 AMAssociated Press — Jury says The New York Times defamed Alabama basketball player with incorrect story about shooting - AP News
What they're saying
"

An Alabama jury finds The New York Times defamed a college basketball player by incorrectly reporting that he was at the scene of a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa. Jurors on Thursday awarded $9.25 million in damages. Kai Spears, who played for the University of…

"

An Alabama jury on Thursday awarded $9.25 million in damages after finding that The New York Times defamed an Alabama basketball player by incorrectly reporting that he was at the scene of a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa.

Related Teams & Leagues
Basketball

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days