Chicago Sun Times Claims Anthony Davis to UK for $200,000
nickev | Aug 04, 2010 | Comments 5
Earlier today a story by Michael O’Brien of The Chicago Sun Times caught plenty of attention across the country as he claimed that he had a so-called ‘reliable source’ that said UK recruit Anthony Davis, a 6-10 five-star 2011 recruit, will choose Kentucky.
However, his claims didn’t stop there. He continued his story by releasing at the bottom of his article that the commitment cost the University of Kentucky $200,000.
No source. No nothing. And he hid the claim at the bottom of his article. He did realize that he is claiming that the University of Kentucky is committing a major NCAA violation. He did realize that these allegations from an unnamed source could stick with and harm Davis’ reputation for the rest of his career. Yet, he hides his ball-less claim nine paragraphs deep. Moran.
Upon receiving heat from numerous journalists across the country, O’Brien was forced to alter his story, but the original post still remains. Albeit, without the monetary claims. Basically, now his story just reads that Davis is going to Kentucky. There is a big difference between “Top Recruit Anthony Davis to PIck Kentucky” and “Top Recruit Anthony Davis Picks Kentucky and Receives $200,000, Aroldis Chapman’s Lamborghini, a lifetime supply of Cap’n Crunch and a Strait Pinkie T-Shirt”.
You can read his original article with the removal of the monetary claims by clicking here. Below I have his original quotes, though.
According to a reliable source, Davis will choose Kentucky. The Kentucky-based blog “Nation of Blue” has reported that two unnamed sources are also claiming Davis has chosen Kentucky.
Rumors that Davis’ commitment is for sale have surfaced since he cut his list of schools down about a month ago.
The rumors/sources that have Davis choosing Kentucky are also alleging that the commitment cost $200,000. Davis Sr. has flat out denied everything.
Idiot. Once again, he hid these at the bottom of the article and then immediately after receiving some backlash removed them. The kid must have some reliable sources that he believes in. Yet, he decided to put this out there to tarnish Davis’ reputation.
Now the University of Kentucky is getting involved with some fancy legal action. Sturgil, Turner, Barker & Moloney, PLLC issued a formal demand toward Mr. O’Brien to remove the article, which he did (sort of), and issue a statement that he knows of no credible evidence and that his rumors are untrue.
You can read the whole letter to Mr. O’Brien at CatScratches.com.
This whole thing is ridiculous and looks as if it should be no story at all. Basically, Michael O’Brien is a moron. I’m done.
Filed Under: Kentucky
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Whats up everyone. Good site fellas. Are any UK fans nervous about this? We all know UK and her fans will deny any wrong doing. Problem: if this story had no feet/ truth to it why has UK hired a law firm? Strange. No worries though, it wll take the NCAA just as long as it took them to take down USC and R. Bush. Too many stories of this nature. F it – this is embarassing.
I’m a UofL guy, but in terms of this story, there should be no concern whatsoever. If this guy had reliable or legit sources at all, he would’ve fought to keep that info in the story. Instead, as Nick said, he buried the allegation deep in the story. The legal team from UK’s perspective is most likely to handle a potential libel/slander type of thing, I don’t think anyone is really worried about it.
Looks like the only one that was worried was the Sun Times, as they have completely re-written the article, removing all references to money, UK, dollar amounts or any “rumors” of Davis Jr. being on the take.
I guess those rumors were not very well sourced.
http://yourseason.suntimes.com/boys_basketball/2568556,0805-anthony-davis.article
Well they might be hiring a legal team because writing unfounded accusations hurting an entity’s reputation is libel. If you believe it’s because they’re afraid they’ve done something wrong and are trying to cover it up, it would make much more sense to just let the story die rather than prolong it. As far as them asking for punitive damages I’d say as long as Mr. O’Brien issues his apology (or shows proof that his accusations are true) then that should be good enough for the university. If truly innocent, the Davis family should be the ones seeking damages for the article. This kid’s reputation is severely tarnished all because of hearsay (or at least as it stands now).
Actually, trailer-trash, the Sun Times reloaded both barrels and ran a fuller story today.