Alabama Basketball Player's Libel Lawsuit Against New York Times Can Go to a Jury
A libel lawsuit filed by Alabama basketball player Kai Spears against The New York Times will proceed to a jury. The case stems from an article that allegedly misrepresented Spears' involvement in a shooting incident. The court found sufficient evidence for the jury to consider whether the statements made about Spears were defamatory.
- ▪Kai Spears was a walk-on basketball player at the University of Alabama.
- ▪The New York Times published an article that included false statements about Spears' involvement in a shooting.
- ▪The court ruled that there is enough evidence for a jury to determine if the statements were defamatory.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Free Speech Alabama Basketball Player's Libel Lawsuit Against New York Times Can Go to a Jury Eugene Volokh | 5.29.2026 2:08 PM From Judge Annemarie Carney Axon (N.D. Ala.) in yesterday's Spears v. N.Y. Times Co.: Plaintiff Kai Spears was a walk-on basketball player for The University of Alabama men's basketball team and developed close friendships with other teammates, including Brandon Miller. In the early hours of the morning on January 15, 2023, Mr. Spears and Mr. Miller visited Moe's Original BBQ in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Unbeknownst to Mr. Spears, another teammate—Darius Miles—asked Mr. Miller to bring Mr. Miles a gun that he had left in Mr. Miller's car. So Mr. Miller headed to Mr. Miles, and Mr. Spears started back to his dorm.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Reason Magazine.
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