Announcer

$25 Million Libel Verdict Shocks Legal and Media Experts: Oklahoman Misidentifies Announcer in Racist Rant Case

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NORMAN, Oklahoma – A recent $25 million libel verdict against the Gannett-owned Oklahoman has left media and legal experts puzzled. The jury awarded damages to announcer Scott Sapulpa after the newspaper misidentified him as the person responsible for a racist rant during a state girls’ basketball tournament three years ago. The large sum of money awarded has raised questions about the jury’s decision. Norman attorney Stan Ward expressed concerns that the jury may have exceeded the legal boundaries with their significant damages award. Oklahoma does not impose a limit on jury awards for defamation cases, … Read more

Oklahoma Man Awarded $25 Million After False Accusations in Racist Basketball Announcer Case

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Muskogee County, Oklahoma – A man in Oklahoma has been awarded $25 million by a jury after he was wrongly identified as the announcer who made racist comments during a 2021 broadcast of a girls’ basketball game. The verdict came after Scott Sapulpa sued the state’s largest newspaper for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The jury in Muskogee County ruled in favor of Sapulpa, granting him $5 million in actual damages and an additional $20 million in punitive damages. Sapulpa’s attorney, Michael Barkett, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the case, stating, … Read more