Celebrities are unfortunately targeted by relentless trolling a lot of the time, and NBA stars aren’t immune. Here are four NBA cases involving trolling and lawsuits that might shock you.
Although you might not think it, name and shame laws are a thing and can have serious consequences. “Trolling” – the abuse of individuals online – can be prosecuted under the Malicious Communications Act 2003. So, it’s really worth thinking about what you’re posting online and sharing with news outlets.
Celebrities and other people in the public eye experience these sorts of malicious acts all the time. Here are a few instances in which NBA stars turned out to be the ones involved.
1. Russell Westbrook Gets A New Name
You might not be unfamiliar with the story of Russell Westbrook. Although Russell has never brought a case against any of the individuals in question, it definitely sounds as though it could head that way now that the player’s family is involved.
Westbrook has been fielding criticism for much of his career, but it’s been taken to another level since he came to the Los Angeles Lakers, so much so, he refuses to let his family attend his games anymore.
Recently, Westbrook’s wife posted a thread of tweets calling out reporters for slander towards her husband, with the media having settled on the phrase “Westbrick.” Westbrook’s wife also revealed the family has been receiving death threats; another level of extreme.
Westbrook was asked about his wife’s comments and had a very detailed four-minute answer that was pretty heartbreaking. The comments were described as “the most vulnerable and honest as you’ll ever hear Westbrook being with the media.”
He ended by saying that, when it comes to basketball, he doesn’t mind being criticized, but he refuses to let his family be dragged into it, understandably so.
2. Kyle Rittenhouse and LeBron James
In recent news, Kyle Rittenhouse has added LeBron James to the long list of politicians and famous people he is suing for defamation.
Rittenhouse has decided to take this step after the “repeated threats and personal attacks he has received both in public and through the media.” He has stated that he wants people who have tarnished his name to be held accountable for their actions
It seems as though the people doing the trolling and name-calling don’t think about the consequences to the individuals they are targeting. Trolling can have significant impacts on the mental health of those targeted. There are lots of resources available online if you have been subject to trolling and need mental health support.
3. Sue Bird
This one isn’t quite NBA but is still worth sharing.
WNBA star Sue Bird has been on the receiving end of trolling for much of her career, although mostly harmless with people challenging her to 1-on-1s. However, as pointed out in an interview with ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel, Sue and other women basketball players have been subjected to the trolling over how she compares to male players — even ones who never suited up professionally.
An article found that if you type in “1 on 1” and a WNBA star’s name into Twitter, you’ll see threads and threads of comments about how a common dude could beat a professional player (and not in the fun sports debate way). Is this never going to die among internet trolls?
Although Sue hasn’t brought a case against any of these individuals, it’s only a matter of time before someone does.
4. Eddie Arnet Johnson
Eddie Arnet Johnson sued both Skip Bayless, host of the Jim Rome Show at the time, and the Tribune. Eddie Lee Johnson —who was an All-Star for the Atlanta Hawks in the 1970s — not Eddie Arnet Johnson, was accused of sexually assaulting a young girl in Florida. He was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
However, it was not Eddie Lee Johnson whom the Tribune reported was the accuser, and Bayless subsequently ran the Tribune’s story, giving it national airtime. Johnson sued both the Tribune and Bayless, though an appeals court eventually found that there was no, “actual malice or disregard for the truth,” on the paper’s behalf.
Still, Johnson does seek to remind Bayless of his error when possible.
Worried about name and shame laws?
There are lots of resources out there from which you can learn more about name and shame laws. But, a safe bet in avoiding any cases being brought against you is to be careful what you’re writing online. Remember, NBA stars, celebrities, and other people in the public eye are humans too.
Do you have any top tips for dealing with trolls? Let us know in the comments below.
