Title IX lawsuit settled for $2.48 million

[crusse10]

Smart move on UT's part with SEC Media days in less than a week. Jones and the players might not have to handle questions on the topic.

if the entire room of reporters asks no questions about it, they're not doing their job

 

[OldandStillaVol]

if the entire room of reporters asks no questions about it, they're not doing their job

Hopefully, Jones and the players can just say, "per the settlement agreement, we cannot comment on that. Next question?"

 

[BACKDOC]

I am not the poster you are responding to, but here's my opinion: I do not believe Alexis Johnson will be reinstated until after his charges get completely dropped in October, if he stays out of trouble. By then, the season is halfway over. He will be redshirted and then will play ball next season. Again, JMO.

You may be right.

 

[vol66]

if the entire room of reporters asks no questions about it, they're not doing their job

I don't disagree, but what kind of question is there to be asked? Based on what we know, it doesn't appear Jones had any say in the matter (settlement).

Also, I didn't know at the time of my previous post that the settlement occurred two days prior to UT lawyers having to report to court again.

The BOT wanted this thing settled and as LWS has stated the two sides had been negotiating before the lawsuit had even been filed.

Q. When did settlement negotiations begin?

A: They have been discussed off and on since before Smith actually filed the lawsuit February 24, 2016. The current negotiations began in earnest in April.

Parties offer some answers to UT gender discrimination settlement | WBIR.com

 

[Remy]

I am not the poster you are responding to, but here's my opinion: I do not believe Alexis Johnson will be reinstated until after his charges get completely dropped in October, if he stays out of trouble. By then, the season is halfway over. He will be redshirted and then will play ball next season. Again, JMO.

This sounds correct to me/has the ring if truth to my head. What I really want to occur is if the young man has the charges dropped and remains unconvicted, is this team, the staff, the UTAD, and the entire school stand by the commitment made to this youngster and see him in school and playing for the Vols perhaps as a redshirt as soon as possible. This youngster and all youngsters need to understand we don't flinch on kids if times get tough.

 

[TNnative]

Can't agree with that. If there was nothing there no way you pay 2mil

Bruin, I agree. However, if your choices is to pay out 2 million now, or 5 to 6 million over the next two years just prepping the case, and that is just what you would be paying in out in legal fees and court costs, what do you do?

In the longest terms of time this case would have taken, I am glad it is put aside.

From now on, they need to educate players before, not after, they arrive on campus on how to not to put themselves in situations those before them have faced. Some still aren't out of it. No always means no, but many times, yes means no too. Especially if you just met her.

And the fine details of how exactly they are handling things going forward is info I do not need. Just as long as the players stay out of section A of the papers.

Opinion: Settling Lawsuit Was the Best of Imperfect Options for UT | Rocky Top Insider

 

[crusse10]

I don't disagree, but what kind of question is there to be asked? Based on what we know, it doesn't appear Jones had any say in the matter (settlement).

Also, I didn't know at the time of my previous post that the settlement occurred two days prior to UT lawyers having to report to court again.

The BOT wanted this thing settled and as LWS has stated the two sides had been negotiating before the lawsuit had even been filed.



Parties offer some answers to UT gender discrimination settlement | WBIR.com

Do you believe that the Title IX case has impacted your recruiting?
How has the team responded to the Title IX case?
Do you expect a fallout on campus during the season in response to the Title IX case?
Have you stepped up measures for the team in response to the Title IX case?

 

[OldandStillaVol]

Do you believe that the Title IX case has impacted your recruiting?
How has the team responded to the Title IX case?
Do you expect a fallout on campus during the season in response to the Title IX case?
Have you stepped up measures for the team in response to the Title IX case?

Jones: "I cannot comment on anything related to the Title IX case per the settlement agreement."

 

[vol66]

Do you believe that the Title IX case has impacted your recruiting?
How has the team responded to the Title IX case?
Do you expect a fallout on campus during the season in response to the Title IX case?
Have you stepped up measures for the team in response to the Title IX case?

The real answer is probably, "I can't speak about the case" but...

1. Probably

2. We continue to educate, it's on going.

3. No.

4. See #2.

Like I said, while some of the questions are obvious, the answers are as well.

 

[crusse10]

none of those questions are affected by a gag order

 

[TNnative]

if the entire room of reporters asks no questions about it, they're not doing their job

At media days, they would be wasting their time. Once such a case is settled, coaches and players will merely refer all questions on that topic to their legal counsel. Once you settle the suit, there is nothing more to say publicly or on the record.

So, if those reporters have half an ounce of common sense, they won't do their job based on your opinion.

 

[crusse10]

At media days, they would be wasting their time. Once such a case is settled, coaches and players will merely refer all questions on that topic to their legal counsel. Once you settle the suit, there is nothing more to say publicly or on the record.

So, if those reporters have half an ounce of common sense, they won't do their job based on your opinion.

Their job is to ask questions about the most prevalent topics. Whether they get responses or not don't impact what they're supposed to do. Their editors would have their necks for not even bothering to ask.

 

[RT1941]

But, can't they still step in & give us sanctions and/or NCAA violations over this even though this particular matter might not have been an NCAA issue?

In the settlement UT admitted no wrongdoing, no illegal activity, and no negligence. The plaintiffs agreed to UT not guilty position. So what the hell would the NCAA have issues with? Are they going to investigate a case that is totally out of their jurisdiction and try to impose penalties over something that has been resolved in a settlement?

 

[crusse10]

In the settlement UT admitted no wrongdoing, no illegal activity, and no negligence. The plaintiffs agreed to UT not guilty position. So what the hell would the NCAA have issues with? Are they going to investigate a case that is totally out of their jurisdiction and try to impose penalties over something that has been resolved in a settlement?

I don't think people fully understand just how NOT an NCAA issue this is

 

[RT1941]

I don't think people fully understand just how NOT an NCAA issue this is

It's no longer a legal issue either. This is the best case scenario for UT, end the bad PR, go on record as not guilty and having done no wrong. Take this wake-up call to educate UT student-athletes and boost up the monitoring processes when issues like this occur. Now put this noise behind you and on with freaking FOOTBALL.

 

[VFLBerg]

if the entire room of reporters asks no questions about it, they're not doing their job

Reporters don't do their jobs a lot these days though.

 

[Plano Vol]

them talking about it every game?

how much you wanna bet this is mentioned every game?

every game in 2021......

 

[Plano Vol]

And here also is what the attorney who filed the Complaint has said about the experience (as from the ESPN article) -- of course, one is right to consider why he didn't simply make this statement last week or sooner // prior to the settlement payment, but anyway, it's pretty clear the university culture is good, just like the head coaches + the 3 players said on camera earlier:

"My clients and I are dismissing the lawsuit with prejudice and signed the settlement agreement," Smith said in a statement. "We are satisfied that, while universities everywhere struggle with these issues, the University of Tennessee has made significant progress in the way they educate and respond to sexual assault cases. My clients and I are also convinced that the University's leadership is truly committed to continue its exemplary efforts to create a model as it relates to sexual misconduct.

"If we all can look ahead and imagine our state's flagship university as a leader in awareness, education, support and aggressive response to these issues, this lawsuit and the resulting outcome would have contributed in a small way to the safety, well-being and hopeful futures of many young people who from time to time call the University of Tennessee home."

I read all this and all I hear the lawyer say is "Cha Ching!"

 

[hog88]

Can't agree with that. If there was nothing there no way you pay 2mil

That's equivalent of a normal person paying $2000 to get rid of an annoyance and slapping a gag on the antagonist. Chump change.

 

[LWSVOL]

There was no way they would reinstate him with this lawsuit hanging over their heads. He at least now has a chance. Maybe you are right; care to explain.

Butch initiated his suspension and Butch will decide when he returns. Most thinking is once the legal process ends with his probationary period in October. If that is case, Johnson likely will redshirt

 

[VolsRule]

This is great news---I thought it would be a lot more money than that! UT can pay this with petty cash!!!

 

[HoptownVol]

$2.5M tells you they didn't have much of a case. And just for kicks I decided to look up the modern legal definition of "sexual assault." We are so screwed.

 

[82_VOL_83]

I have a daughter and honestly, I suggest you stop right there.
The most realistic cases with Williams and Johnson are being prosecuted criminally which is what I would be after, as a father. Don't you ever say something like that to me again.

You wouldn't have to worry about when to settle, because a financial lawsuit would be the last attempt I would think of.
Unfortunately, with people like you, financial gain instead of criminal justice is much more common than it should be in life today.

And that isn't what he said at all. Unwad your pantues Charger.

 

[82_VOL_83]

OJ was tried criminally first.
That is a huge difference.
Their lawsuit was a last-ditch effort to make OJ pay.
The majority of these girls went straight to financial lawsuit and it's against UT not the people they said are responsible.
Surely you see how that's not getting justice against those they are accusing?

If none of this has any bearing on your opinion, we'll call it an impasse. The example you gave, is a good reason lawsuits should exist. Unfortunately, it is the polar opposite of what is happening here.

Once again, if you read his posts in context he is saying much the same thing.

 

[82_VOL_83]

Handing over somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000 to each plantiff for UT is like me handing someone $10 or $20 to go away.

Assuming the attorney's portion and other fees are as mentioned in this thread.

It is remarkable to me that the plantiff side has agreed to such low figures. If any side is to "blame" for the settlement, it's the party(ies) fault for accepting.

UT was clearly ready to keep pushing and possibly even trial. They knew the case was weak and probably not winnable. However, another year of legal fees and other factors, Tennessee is getting out extremely on the cheap side.

They won the bargaining side of this civil ordeal, which means they won.

The whole thing was about money at the end of the day. If you don't see that you are choosing to be dumb.

If it wasn't about money, you take this mother****er to trial. If you are the accuser. That is, unless your case can't hold water. Period!

UT won,and in doing so set a very good precedent for other schools. Your kids F up, get em off the squad until you know different. I think Butch's actions saved the school a crap ton of $$$.