Bernie Kosar, a former NFL quarterback, has filed a civil lawsuit against sports media company BIGPLAY LLC and its CEO, Kendall Myers. The lawsuit stems from a ceremonial sports bet that led to Kosar’s firing by the Cleveland Browns. Kosar is seeking $850,000 in damages for wrongful termination and breach of contract.
Background of the Firing
Kosar was fired by the Cleveland Browns in January 2023 after placing a $19,000 wager on Cleveland to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular-season finale. The NFL’s gambling policy prohibits team employees from wagering on league events. This bet, although intended as part of a New Year’s Eve charity event, violated the policy and resulted in Kosar losing his job.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, accuses BIGPLAY Media CEO Kendall Myers of violating contract terms with the podcasting company. Kosar claims that Myers and co-manager David McAllester informed him that he had to personally place the wager, despite an initial agreement stating otherwise. Kosar is seeking $850,000 in damages for wrongful termination and alteration of their agreement.
Ceremonial Bet Context
The bet was intended as part of a New Year’s Eve charity event, coinciding with the launch of legal sports betting in Ohio on January 1, 2023. The agreement stated that Kosar would not be liable for the wager amount nor entitled to any winnings. However, Myers and McAllester allegedly forced Kosar to place the bet himself, leading to his termination by the Browns.
Contractual Dispute
Kosar signed a contract with BIGPLAY LLC on December 30, 2022, to appear on podcasts and at certain events. Despite the initial agreement terms, Myers and McAllester informed Kosar that he had to personally place the wager. This led to a contractual dispute, with Kosar accusing BIGPLAY of breaching the terms of their agreement.
Termination Details
On or about September 11, 2023, during a meeting with Myers regarding his unavailability due to prior commitments, Myers attempted to modify the contract terms. Nearly two weeks later, Kosar received written notice terminating his agreement for cause. Kosar claims that this termination was wrongful and is seeking damages for the breach of contract.
BIGPLAY’s Response
An attorney for BIGPLAY and Myers stated that the claims of wrongdoing are false and that they look forward to defending their clients in court. They declined to comment further due to the pending litigation. This response indicates that BIGPLAY intends to contest Kosar’s allegations and defend their actions in court.
Kosar’s Career Highlights
Kosar led the Browns to three AFC Championship appearances between the mid-1980s and late-1980s, although they lost all three games to the Denver Broncos. He set records for consecutive playoff games with at least three touchdown passes and passing yards in a playoff game, with 489 yards against the Jets. Kosar finished his Browns career with significant franchise records, including the third-most passing yards (21,904) and fourth-most touchdown throws (116). In a 2019 poll, fans named him the most beloved player in franchise history.
Additional Information
Separate from this lawsuit, the Browns fired Kosar from his pregame radio broadcast duties due to a violation of the league’s gambling policy. The case will be held before Judge Timothy Clary and also seeks punitive damages and attorney’s fees exceeding $25,000. This additional information highlights the broader impact of the bet on Kosar’s career and the legal proceedings that will follow.
Conclusion
The lawsuit filed by Bernie Kosar against BIGPLAY LLC and Kendall Myers highlights the complexities and consequences of sports betting within the NFL. Kosar’s claims of wrongful termination and breach of contract will be contested in court, with both sides presenting their arguments. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for Kosar, BIGPLAY, and the broader sports media landscape.
