Should the case be settled?

[lawgator1]

First, understand that although over the years I needle you about our rivalry, and look forward to doing so for another decade once we get past this little blip when you surely beat us this year, this is a very serious matter. I do not take lightly that I am posting this as a rival fan, and am just speaking personally.

I do think you should settle and this is what I said in another thread about my own experience with lawsuits:

I'm very familiar with the circle the wagons mentality. I've been dealing with it for 20 years. In my experience, it feels great for the first 1/3rd of the time you are dealing with it, "its us against the world!"; lousy the second 1/3rd, "how could you do this to us?"!; and then pretty empty the last 1/3rd, "should have nipped this in the bud when we had the chance."

 

[emzeeee]

Some fans on here won't want to, but it should and probably will get settled eventually.

 

[Volsick]

Sue the Piss out of everyone

 

[LibertyVolance]

Does anyone know who is financing this lawsuit for the plaintiffs? Who is paying for their legal team?

 

[lawgator1]

Does anyone know who is financing this lawsuit for the plaintiffs? Who is paying for their legal team?

I don't practice in that area of the law, but my suspicion is that there is an attorneys fee provision in the federal statute at issue (there usually is) that the plaintiffs' attorneys, if they prevail, are also awarded their fees and costs on top of any verdict for the plaintiffs.

 

[jp1]

To me the "settle" time has passed. Damage has been done. I feel like at this point you go all in and prove you aren't guilty and put this thing to bed. This is assuming UT feels that they have dotted the i's and crossed their T's. Not a smart business decision for the time being,but may end up being one over the long haul.

 

[Daddy Gee]

Yes. Not settling means Tennessee's name will show up for the next year on ESPN, SI, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Tennessee's reputation will be tried in the court of media and social media. It will be a bad look for us.

 

[Aerie Vol]

I will get "flamed" for this, but....

Never negotiate with terrorists.

If the university believes these claims are false or in any way an attempt at extortion, then settling only invites more such attempts in the future. Hold the line - worse in short term, better in long.

Now, if the university knows some "truth" we all don't, then they may be wise to take the settlement and run - taking steps to ensure this never needs to happen again.

AV

 

[82_VOL_83]

I voted not sure yet for the following:
1) Spite.....had to get that out of the way.
2) UT: If we settle, how many more litigants will crawl out if the woodwork? I could see this turning into a class action and essentially never ending.
3) Coaches: I think Butch and Company have handled all issues correctly. With a settlement someone will get fired. It will be the guy furthest down the hill and that's our head coach.
4) SEC: I personally feel like a line needs to be drawn in the sand. If UT settles. Who is the next school to get hit? LG you should want UT to pursue this. If for nothing else a roadmap on how to beat it when it hits UF.

 

[37L1]

We settle and what makes you think that's the end of it?

Makes you an easy target IMO, and other Universities will be next, bank it.

Friggin' lawyers.

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

I think UT should fight. When they started to disparage the character of Butch Jones, it became personal for everyone. When the drug up a 20 year old incident involving Peyton Manning, they are making it personal. I understand that the victims MAY feel that the University did not do enough, but did the University do what they were suppose to do? Were they vigilant in punishing the accused until the accused were cleared by the judicial/police? I think they were. UT, Butch Jones has been more than vigilant. By UT settling, they are basically rolling over. I am sure that the plaintiff's don't want to testify. They are leaking info to the media to force UT to settle. I think it backfires!!

 

[Eddie Vol Halen]

My feeling right now, given what Butch has said, is to fight this until the end and clear the UTAD name, no matter what it costs (peanuts in the grand scheme), and set a precedent for the whole nation.

I just don't know if we have an Administration with that kind of strength and character though.

I'm also worried that Naughright might be tarnishing some real victims. I think it's despicable that the plaintiffs / Williams / AJ have to wait another six months for justice / closure. Absolutely shameful. We still have a Bill of Rights with a Sixth Amendment. So much would be answered if a jury had heard some evidence in this case.

Which brings us to the fact that UTAD will no doubt be waiting on verdicts there before making any move (which I think is wrong). It makes me wonder as well if the Fed lawsuit has been timed in hopes of forcing a settlement before the trial. I admit that might be completely unfair on my part.

 

[ReaderVol]

First, understand that although over the years I needle you about our rivalry, and look forward to doing so for another decade once we get past this little blip when you surely beat us this year, this is a very serious matter. I do not take lightly that I am posting this as a rival fan, and am just speaking personally.

I do think you should settle and this is what I said in another thread about my own experience with lawsuits:

I'm very familiar with the circle the wagons mentality. I've been dealing with it for 20 years. In my experience, it feels great for the first 1/3rd of the time you are dealing with it, "its us against the world!"; lousy the second 1/3rd, "how could you do this to us?"!; and then pretty empty the last 1/3rd, "should have nipped this in the bud when we had the chance."

Wow no wonder you're an ambulance chaser. Without knowing all the evidence you make a decision?
Should UT settle? Depends on all the information.

 

[ddd]

I keep flipping back and forth, so voted 'not sure, yet'.

Fighting and proving we did things correctly would be great, but I'm not sure if we really want all the plaintiffs, coaches, players and administrators on the stand. It would be a circus and the media would report only the most damning details.

 

[ReaderVol]

All fans of other schools who are enjoying this should hope and pray UT prevails on this. If UT settles for big $ or loses the case and a large sum of $ is awarded then I can all but guarantee that other schools will face the same thing.

 

[BaldBiker]

First, understand that although over the years I needle you about our rivalry, and look forward to doing so for another decade once we get past this little blip when you surely beat us this year, this is a very serious matter. I do not take lightly that I am posting this as a rival fan, and am just speaking personally.

I do think you should settle and this is what I said in another thread about my own experience with lawsuits:

I'm very familiar with the circle the wagons mentality. I've been dealing with it for 20 years. In my experience, it feels great for the first 1/3rd of the time you are dealing with it, "its us against the world!"; lousy the second 1/3rd, "how could you do this to us?"!; and then pretty empty the last 1/3rd, "should have nipped this in the bud when we had the chance."

I've heard it stated on some of the talk shows that other Universities are/should be watching this case closely. Fans are going to be fans, but the Universities are paying attention.

Reason: These law suits are not going away anytime soon. UT wasn't the first, and definitely will not be the last. UT is the first to say "No", we will not settle.

Problem: Title IX, as it stands right now, is a civil court lawyers dream. Universities are not set up to do proper investigations for alleged sexual crimes. They are not police departments. Universities are ripe for the picking when it comes to free money in a law suit and unlike a criminal case, you can pretty much spew whatever garbage you want. Civil Lawsuits of this kind are not meant to go to court and the Prosecutors would prefer they didn't, because then they have to prove their cases. This is why you see all the embarrassing stuff put out to every news media source that is willing to post it. To get the University to settle rather than have their name drug through the mud.

My Opinion: As long as Universities keep settling, the Law Suits will continue. There is no reason for the lawyers or plaintiffs to stop. FSU, Baylor and someone else (can't remember off the top of my head) have already gone through it. UT is going through it now. As stated on a couple of shows.....no College or University is safe from it at this time and they are all being lined up for eventual law suits.

UT has said "No", and I would just about bet, all those other Universities hope we win.

 

[LittleCat]

At this point, Idk. I think it should have been...but there is just so much going on I suppose UT wants to fight it.

Still, when you read about all the allegations against UT administration, it's pretty scary. You have Cheek supposedly ignoring all these signs. An official leaving after bringing the issue up, another person told not to investigate. And then the whole issue of Drae. The coach supposedly calling him a traitor and other players confronting him. All these allegations against a lot of players, both former and current.

I don't believe UT will get out of this clean. There is just too much going on for it all to be fake. It's probably not all 100% true, but all this doesn't pop up from nowhere. This goes years back.

 

[SECProudUT]

If the plaintiffs are seeking justice, and monetary gain was not the issue. Then, I say let justice be served and those at fault be punished for their wrong doings. For money is the root of evil. Evil should not prevail when so many good people, have their reputation tarnished for profit.

 

[butchna]

Plaintiffs already overplayed their hand. We've already been convicted by ESPN and the court of public opinion. There's no advantage in settling...damage has been done.

 

[ReaderVol]

At this point, Idk. I think it should have been...but there is just so much going on I suppose UT wants to fight it.

Still, when you read about all the allegations against UT administration, it's pretty scary. You have Cheek supposedly ignoring all these signs. An official leaving after bringing the issue up, another person told not to investigate. And then the whole issue of Drae. The coach supposedly calling him a traitor and other players confronting him. All these allegations against a lot of players, both former and current.

I don't believe UT will get out of this clean. There is just too much going on for it all to be fake. It's probably not all 100% true, but all this doesn't pop up from nowhere. This goes years back.

All allegations have to be true right? I mean there's never been a lawsuit filed with a TON of false accusation and especially allegations hard to prove like these. LOL gimme a break and watch basketball.

 

[butchna]

I will get "flamed" for this, but....

Never negotiate with terrorists.

If the university believes these claims are false or in any way an attempt at extortion, then settling only invites more such attempts in the future. Hold the line - worse in short term, better in long.

Now, if the university knows some "truth" we all don't, then they may be wise to take the settlement and run - taking steps to ensure this never needs to happen again.

AV

I'm right there with you buddy! TERRORISTS don't consider innocence of their victims. They destroy and use whomever is needed for their message. And they don't STOP after success.

 

[ru4real-really?]

Much as I hate to say it, if it is settled, the lawyers have earned their money. But the accuser's haven't earned anything. They remain to this day anonymous. They are Jane Doe's because--to borrow a legal term--their hands are not clean.

If the university settles, is should be without admitting a Gxx Daxxxx thing. Settle it to get rid of it. Not to make the accusers whole! It's a money grab, but unfortunately the lawyers have earned it.

If it goes to trial, and if the university loses, the damages will not be for large amounts per accuser in my opinion. And I do think the lawyers will be provided for under the law.

So, bring out the dirt and heat on the parties and expose them for what they are, (how long can they hide under Jane Does) and then offer a settlement. Like, play their game. That's what I think.

 

[LittleCat]

All allegations have to be true right? I mean there's never been a lawsuit filed with a TON of false accusation and especially allegations hard to prove like these. LOL gimme a break and watch basketball.

I just said it's not 100% true. Of course the allegations are painting UT in the worst light possible. That said, I don't have the orange sunglasses on, crying that UT is somehow the victim here.

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

Plaintiffs already overplayed their hand. We've already been convicted by ESPN and the court of public opinion. There's no advantage in settling...damage has been done.

I think they have hit UT with their best shot. They don't have a bullet left. UT didn't flinch. It's time for the legal department at UT to earn their pay.

 

[butchna]

I just said it's not 100% true. Of course the allegations are painting UT in the worst light possible. That said, I don't have the orange sunglasses on, crying that UT is somehow the victim here.

Why would you have orange sunglasses? Would clash with the blue nose ring.