Report: Judge Dismisses Jazz Fans Lawsuit Against Russell Westbrook
May 27, 2021, 5:14 PM | Updated: 5:21 pm
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah Judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by two Jazz fans against Russell Westbrook after the two were banned from Vivint Arena according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Shane Keisel and Jennifer Huff were banned from attending events at Vivint Arena after the two were accused of making racially insensitive comments towards the then Oklahoma City Thunder star.
Afterward, the two filed a lawsuit for $100 million claiming defamation and infliction of emotional stress.
A Utah judge tossed out a $100M suit against Russell Westbrook and the Utah Jazz filed by two fans banned from Jazz games after taunts toward Westbrook in a March 2019 game, per court documents. Shane Keisel and Jennifer Huff claimed defamation and infliction of emotional stress.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 27, 2021
Days after the initial run-in with Westbrook, the Jazz organization made the decision to ban Keisel and Huff from future events.
“The Utah Jazz and Larry H. Miller Group announced today a permanent ban of the fan who engaged in the inappropriate interaction with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook last night at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The ban is effective immediately and includes all arena events,” The team said in a release.
“The organization conducted an investigation through video review and eyewitness accounts. The ban is based on excessive and derogatory verbal abuse directed at a player during the game that violated the NBA Code of Conduct.”
I'm not sure what provoked this response from Russell Westbrook but the league office won't be happy about his response. Russ had an incident with a Jazz fan during the playoffs last season. @KSL5TV @kslsports #nba pic.twitter.com/7sq94tBBIe
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) March 12, 2019
Keisel alleged in the lawsuit that he was fired from his job and cut from a program designed to help people become pilots for SkyWest Airlines because of the incident.
Jazz Senior Vice President of Communications Frank Zang responded to the lawsuit saying, “We believe there is no legal or factual basis for these claims against the Utah Jazz. The organization investigated the underlying incident and acted in an appropriate and responsible manner. We intend to vigorously defend the lawsuit.”
Westbrook has been a frequent target of opposing NBA fans. Wednesday, the guard had popcorn dumped on him after leaving the court while injured by fans of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The @sixers announced they have revoked the tickets and banned the fan who threw popcorn on @WashWizards guard Russell Westbrook. #NBAPlayoffs (@AP)https://t.co/sHR7FCvoMM
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 27, 2021
The 76ers fans who threw the popcorn on Westbrook has been banned indefinitely from future events at the Wells Fargo Center.
“We apologize to Russell Westbrook and the Washington Wizards for being subjected to this type of unacceptable and disrespectful behavior,” the 76ers said in a statement announcing the ban. “There is no place for it in our sport or arena.”
During the Jazz matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, three fans were banned from the arena indefinitely after a verbal altercation.
