In a stunning decision, the Second Circuit closed the chapter on comedian Michael Rapaport’s defamation lawsuit against Barstool Sports. The court ruled that the scathing remarks traded in a vulgar public feud were protected as hyperbolic expressions or opinions, ultimately burying the legal battle.
Michael Rapaport defamation suit against Barstool: Unanimous Decision by Second Circuit
In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel from the Second Circuit applauded the lower court’s meticulous consideration of the context surrounding Rapaport’s public fallout with Barstool. The panel emphasized that the derogatory statements, including accusations of racism, fraud, physical abuse, and herpes, were deemed exaggerated opinions meant to fuel the fiery dispute.
Defamation Shielded Under Law
The defamation suit encapsulated over 75 comments spanning various Barstool platforms. Mirroring the district court’s stance, the Second Circuit asserted that these statements fell within the realm of protected speech, shielded by defamation law due to their nature as inflammatory insults.
