December 12, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Judge Schedules 2018 Trial Date for Former ESPN Tennis Analyst

A judge Monday scheduled a 2018 trial date for a lawsuit filed by a former ESPN tennis analyst who sued the sports network after being fired in January due to his description of Venus Williams’ style of play during the Australian Open.

Doug Adler maintains he used the word “guerilla” but his comment was misinterpreted by some critics, many on social media, who thought he was using the racially offensive term “gorilla” regarding the black tennis star.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Feffer scheduled trial for Oct. 15, 2018 with an expected length of eight days. ESPN attorney Raymond Bertrand told the judge he preferred to have direct negotiations on a possible resolution of the case rather than seek mediation. He also said depositions in the case will likely take place in New York City, near ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.

The allegations in Adler’s complaint, filed Feb. 14, include wrongful termination and both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Although tennis experts commonly use the term “guerrilla tennis” to describe aggressive tactics, ESPN “bowed to the Twitter universe of haters and those ignorant of tennis who thought (Adler) used the word gorilla to describe Venus Williams that day,” according to his lawsuit.

ESPN Senior Vice President Mark Gross and the network’s vice president, Jamie Reynolds, are also named as defendants.

The 17-page lawsuit also alleges that other employers have shunned Adler following ESPN’s firing of him shortly after the Jan. 18 Williams match.

“Guerrilla Tennis” was the name of a Nike TV commercial in the 1990s featuring Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras.

In his court papers, Bertrand states that Adler “issued an apology on Jan. 19 saying he was speaking about Ms. Williams’ tactics and strategy and that he chose the wrong word to describe her play.”

The network “concluded that he should have been more careful in his word selection and (ESPN) exercised the right remove him from providing announcer services for the remaining three days of ESPN’s coverage of the Austrailian Open,” according to Bertrand’s court papers.

Adler was still paid for those three days even though he was not working, according to Bertrand’s court papers.

However, according to the lawsuit, ESPN forced Adler to say he was sorry about his choice of words and the plaintiff did so reluctantly, believing he had done nothing wrong.

ESPN then told Adler to leave the broadcast booth and fired him the next day, according to the complaint.

Adler lives in Los Angeles and was an All-American player at USC. He was hired by ESPN in 2008 and covered the U.S. Open, French Open and Wimbledon. He alleges the network ruined his sterling reputation cultivated over 40 years, during which he announced some 3,000 matches.

Related Posts

Holey Moley Brings Food, Fun Drinks, Mini-Golf, and Karaoke to the Third Street Promenade

December 12, 2024

December 12, 2024

Whimsical Cocktails, Comfort Food, and Immersive Putt-Putt Courses In Santa Monica Holey Moley Golf Club, a new entertainment venue by...

Court Rulings Spell the End of Proposed Merger Between Albertson’s and Kroger

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

Grocery Chain Announces Kroger Lawsuit in Separate Press Release Albertsons Companies, Inc. has announced the termination of its proposed merger...

Bar Nine to Close Culver City Flagship After 11 Years of Excellent Espresso and Connection

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

Espresso Bar Bids Farewell to Culver City, Plans Bright Future with Pure Espresso After 11 years of serving the community,...

(Video) The Watermark at Beverly Hills Offers Boutique-Style Living for Seniors

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

For More Info, Go To Watermarkcommunities.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/OmOzzwuFyj pic.twitter.com/FecaVlqabn — Westside Today (@WestsideLAToday) December 11, 2024

Dan O’Brien Named Culver City Mayor, Freddy Puza to Serve as Vice Mayor

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

Newly Elected Council Members Sworn in as Göran Eriksson Ends Term Council Member Dan O’Brien will serve as Culver City’s...

Culver City Police Department Warns City and Nearby Areas of Potential Fire Danger and Air Quality Issues

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

High Winds, Low Humidity, and Dry Conditions Increase the Potential for Wildfires The National Weather Service has issued a Red...

Franklin Fire Update: Over 3,000 Acres Burned, New Shelter Opened, City Government Relocated

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Homes and Structures Impacted; PCH and Major Roads Closed as Firefighters Battle Blaze The update from the city government of...

(Video) School of Rock Offers the Most Revolutionary Music Education

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Sign Up Now at WestLA.SchoolofRock.com Sign Up Now at https://t.co/UY2nQjzBYg pic.twitter.com/G98Z4Q7C7P — Westside Today (@WestsideLAToday) December 10, 2024

Man Arrested for Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO in NYC Has Ties to Santa Monica

December 9, 2024

December 9, 2024

Suspect Found with Ghost Gun, Manifesto, and Fake IDs in Pennsylvania Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old man, was arrested in Pennsylvania...

Disturbance and Car Wreck Snarl Castle Heights and Venice Boulevard Traffic Friday Night

December 9, 2024

December 9, 2024

Police Detain a Belligerent Man Blocking Traffic; Overturned Car on Venice Boulevard On Friday night, December 6, at around 6:45...

Culver City Police Department Launches Its Holiday Toy Drive for Local Kids

December 9, 2024

December 9, 2024

Donate New, Unwrapped Toys To Brighten the Season for Children in Need The Culver City Police Department is inviting the...

Golden Globes Announce 2025 Nominees: See the Full List

December 9, 2024

December 9, 2024

Hollywood’s Biggest Night Returns, Top Contenders Revealed The nominees for the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards® were announced Monday, December...

“A Safer 11 for a Better 11” Initiative Targets Crime Reduction, Infrastructure Upgrades

December 9, 2024

December 9, 2024

Councilmember Traci Park Launches New Public Safety Plan for District 11 Councilmember Traci Park, alongside LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, Los...

Shore Hotel to Open New Coastal-Inspired Hotel Restaurant

December 9, 2024

December 9, 2024

By Susan Payne A new restaurant is opening at the Shore Hotel in January, offering guests and the public a...

Where to Meet Santa on the Westside This Holiday Season

December 8, 2024

December 8, 2024

From Malls To Diving Adventures, Explore the Top Spots Who wants to meet Santa? For parents, it’s one of the...