Alabama jury awards $9.25 million to former basketball player in New York Times defamation case
An eight-person jury in Alabama has ordered the New York Times to pay $9.25 million in damages to Kai Spears, finding the publication defamed the former Crimson Tide player by incorrectly linking him to a fatal shooting.
The verdict, delivered on Thursday by an eight-person jury, marks a significant legal outcome for former University of Alabama basketball player Kai Spears. The jury found the New York Times liable for defamation, awarding Spears $9.25 million in damages after determining the newspaper incorrectly reported that he was at the scene of a fatal shooting.
The legal dispute stems from a 2023 report by the New York Times, which stated that Spears was a passenger in a car involved in the death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris. At the time of the original publication, the newspaper noted that its source had spoken on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
Spears publicly contested the claim shortly after the story broke. In a statement issued in 2023, he described the report as "100% inaccurate" and criticised the writer for having "complete disregard for the truth." He expressed gratitude to Alabama Athletics for refuting the statements on his behalf while acknowledging the tragic nature of the death.
The case highlights the ongoing tension between media reporting practices and the right to personal reputation, particularly when sources are kept anonymous. The jury’s decision to award substantial damages suggests a finding that the newspaper’s handling of the information was insufficient to protect the subject from public scrutiny.
Spears began his college basketball career at Alabama as a walk-on before transferring to Marshall University in 2024. He spent the last two seasons at Marshall before moving to Division II West Liberty this offseason.
