Athlete privacy and the transparency of their injuries
When top defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul blew off a chunk of his hand in a fireworks incident last summer, he may have changed how the media looks at athlete privacy.
Lawsuit asks whether athletes’ medical records are private
Is an athlete’s health a matter of public concern? This question, and its eventual answer, could have ramifications for injured sports stars. The New York Giants football player’s health was a mystery for some time. The status of his hand was on everyone’s mind after initial reports of the accident came out. It was Adam Schefter, one of ESPN’s star football reporters, who eventually got his hands on Pierre-Paul’s hospital records and then proceeded to tweet them to the public.
The defensive end was not happy with that. In a lawsuit against the reporter and ESPN, Pierre-Paul claims that his privacy was violated. The sports network counters that the tweet was within Schefter’s First Amendment rights, due to the football player’s health being a matter of public concern. ESPN is arguing under Florida’s recent SLAPP rule, or strategic lawsuit against public participation, that it had the freedom to reveal Pierre-Paul’s medical records.
ESPN not bound by medical regulations re: athlete privacy
The football player contended that the network exists because of athletes, and that therefore, it should be working to protect their rights. Strangely, though, the football player’s argument goes on to criticize Schefter for not going far enough in an interview with Greg Hardy, a defense end accused of domestic abuse.
One issue with Pierre-Paul’s argument is that while the hospital is legally bound to keep patients’ medical records private, news organizations are not. Therefore, Schefter was not required to keep Pierre-Paul’s medical records private when he tweeted the picture.
When athletes step into the spotlight, they often lose the sort of privacy that many people take for granted. When an injury can drastically affect a team’s performance, there will likely be a scramble to learn more about it. While Pierre-Paul might make some sort of breakthrough with his lawsuit, in the end the media will always seek to probe athletes’ private lives.
If you’re concerned about your private life, in the case of an injury or otherwise, consult an experienced sports attorney for more information on your rights of athlete privacy and how to proceed.
For more articles dealing with the NFL and life of a professional athlete, check out:
Medical Marijuana & the NFL Substance Abuse Policy
The Disability Payment Plans for the Most Dangerous Sport
Does Your Homeowners Insurance Provide Adequate Coverage?
Your home is likely your greatest asset, which is why it is so important to adequately protect it. Homeowners insurance protects you from the financial costs of unforeseen losses, such as theft, fire, and natural disasters, by helping you rebuild and replace possessions that were lost While the definition of “adequate” coverage depends upon a […]
Understanding the Importance of a Non-Contingent Offer
Making a non-contingent offer can dramatically increase your chances of securing a real estate transaction, particularly in competitive markets like New York City. However, buyers should understand that waiving contingencies, including those related to financing, or appraisals, also comes with significant risks. Determining your best strategy requires careful analysis of the property, the market, and […]
Fred D. Zemel Appointed Chair of Strategic Planning at Scarinci & Hollenbeck, LLC
Business Transactional Attorney Zemel to Spearhead Strategic Initiatives for Continued Growth and Innovation Little Falls, NJ – February 21, 2025 – Scarinci & Hollenbeck, LLC is pleased to announce that Partner Fred D. Zemel has been named Chair of the firm’s Strategic Planning Committee. In this role, Mr. Zemel will lead the committee in identifying, […]
Novation Agreement Process: Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses
Big changes sometimes occur during the life cycle of a contract. Cancelling a contract outright can be bad for your reputation and your bottom line. Businesses need to know how to best address a change in circumstances, while also protecting their legal rights. One option is to transfer the “benefits and the burdens” of a […]
What Is a Trade Secret? Key Elements and Legal Protections Explained
What is a trade secret and why you you protect them? Technology has made trade secret theft even easier and more prevalent. In fact, businesses lose billions of dollars every year due to trade secret theft committed by employees, competitors, and even foreign governments. But what is a trade secret? And how do you protect […]
What Is Title Insurance? Safeguarding Against Title Defects
If you are considering the purchase of a property, you may wonder — what is title insurance, do I need it, and why do I need it? Even seasoned property owners may question if the added expense and extra paperwork is really necessary, especially considering that people and entities insured by title insurance make fewer […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
When It Comes to Injuries, How Private is Athlete Privacy?
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Athlete privacy and the transparency of their injuries
When top defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul blew off a chunk of his hand in a fireworks incident last summer, he may have changed how the media looks at athlete privacy.
Lawsuit asks whether athletes’ medical records are private
Is an athlete’s health a matter of public concern? This question, and its eventual answer, could have ramifications for injured sports stars. The New York Giants football player’s health was a mystery for some time. The status of his hand was on everyone’s mind after initial reports of the accident came out. It was Adam Schefter, one of ESPN’s star football reporters, who eventually got his hands on Pierre-Paul’s hospital records and then proceeded to tweet them to the public.
The defensive end was not happy with that. In a lawsuit against the reporter and ESPN, Pierre-Paul claims that his privacy was violated. The sports network counters that the tweet was within Schefter’s First Amendment rights, due to the football player’s health being a matter of public concern. ESPN is arguing under Florida’s recent SLAPP rule, or strategic lawsuit against public participation, that it had the freedom to reveal Pierre-Paul’s medical records.
ESPN not bound by medical regulations re: athlete privacy
The football player contended that the network exists because of athletes, and that therefore, it should be working to protect their rights. Strangely, though, the football player’s argument goes on to criticize Schefter for not going far enough in an interview with Greg Hardy, a defense end accused of domestic abuse.
One issue with Pierre-Paul’s argument is that while the hospital is legally bound to keep patients’ medical records private, news organizations are not. Therefore, Schefter was not required to keep Pierre-Paul’s medical records private when he tweeted the picture.
When athletes step into the spotlight, they often lose the sort of privacy that many people take for granted. When an injury can drastically affect a team’s performance, there will likely be a scramble to learn more about it. While Pierre-Paul might make some sort of breakthrough with his lawsuit, in the end the media will always seek to probe athletes’ private lives.
If you’re concerned about your private life, in the case of an injury or otherwise, consult an experienced sports attorney for more information on your rights of athlete privacy and how to proceed.
For more articles dealing with the NFL and life of a professional athlete, check out:
Medical Marijuana & the NFL Substance Abuse Policy
The Disability Payment Plans for the Most Dangerous Sport
The Problem with the NFL Concussion Settlement
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
