Baton Rouge, Louisiana – LSU head women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has made it clear that she is prepared to take legal action against the Washington Post if the newspaper publishes a “hit piece” about her. Mulkey, who claims to have hired the best defamation law firm in the country, issued this warning at a media conference on Saturday. The content, subject matter, and publication date of the anticipated story are unknown, but Mulkey stated that the reporter has been gathering information for the past couple of years.
Mulkey’s stance comes in response to a confirmation from Washington Post reporter Kent Babb that he is indeed working on a story about her. Babb’s revelation came following a tweet by Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde, hinting at a forthcoming piece on Mulkey. Meanwhile, Mulkey’s No. 3 Tigers emerged victorious in their Friday match against Rice, advancing to the second round of March Madness. They are scheduled to face Middle Tennessee State on Sunday.
Mulkey refused to grant an interview to the reporter in question, citing a previous negative experience with the same individual. She accused the reporter of trying to deceive her former LSU coaches by leaving messages that implied they were collaborating on a story. However, it remains to be seen whether Mulkey’s threats of legal action hold any weight, as the story has not yet been released.
Defamation lawsuits can be challenging to win, particularly for public figures. To succeed, Mulkey would need to demonstrate that the story contains false assertions of fact that have caused harm to her reputation. Additionally, as a public figure, Mulkey would have to prove actual malice, showing that the defamatory statements were made with knowledge of their falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.
While numerous sports industry figures have taken legal action or threatened to sue media organizations over unfavorable coverage, reputable news outlets like the Washington Post typically engage in extensive fact-checking before publication. This diligence in verification could serve as a defense if Mulkey were to pursue legal action. The Post could argue that they took reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of their story and highlight Mulkey’s refusal to provide comment as a missed opportunity to present her side of the story.
It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold, but Mulkey’s determination to protect her reputation sets the stage for a potential legal battle with significant implications.