Kai Spears defamation lawsuit against New York Times set for trial
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 2, 2026, 9:30 PM
Last updated Jun 2, 2026
The defamation lawsuit filed by former Alabama basketball player Kai Spears against The New York Times is going to trial on August 10. Spears claims a 2023 article inaccurately stated he was present at the scene of a shooting connected to his teammates, suggesting possible involvement. The Times reported the incident without prior knowledge of Spears' actual whereabouts, leading to a correction months later. A judge has ruled that the case's key aspects should be resolved by a jury, focusing on whether the statements made were offensive. Settlement before trial remains a possibility.
- •Kai Spears claims he was misidentified in a Times report on a shooting.
- •The lawsuit is based on claims of defamation and false light.
- •A judge denied the Times' motion for summary judgment.
- •The Times' initial report suggested Spears was near a crime scene.
- •Trial is scheduled for August 10, with settlement possible beforehand.
- 9:30 PMYahoo Sports — Former Alabama basketball player’s defamation suit against New York Times heads for trial
"A defamation and false-light lawsuit brought by former Alabama basketball player Kai Spears against The New York Times is headed to trial, according to a report by Michael McCann in Sportico. The suit, initially filed in 2023 following a Times report suggesting Spears was at the scene of a shooting involving some of his Alabama basketball…
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