Brett Favre’s lawyer threatens Pat McAfee with massive losses in lawsuit
By Ian Levy
Pat McAfee doesn’t appear worried about the defamation lawsuit Brett Favre filed against him. Favre’s lawyer responded by threatening serious consequences.
Brett Favre’s ongoing legal episodes expanded last week when he filed a number of defamation lawsuits, including one against Pat McAfee. Favre is being sued by the state of Mississippi for his alleged involvement in a scheme that misused roughly $20 million in state welfare funds for projects like building a new volleyball facility at Southern Mississippi, where his daughter is a member of the team.
McAfee had repeatedly criticized Favre on his podcast, including saying, “We have to make sure that it’s mentioned every time that man is mentioned because that ‘s a big deal.”
McAfee was reportedly warned to remove the offending comment and apologize before the lawsuit was filed. He not only declined but went right on his podcast after being served to let the world know he stands by his comments and isn’t afraid of the lawsuit.
What did Brett Favre’s lawyer say about Pat McAfee?
With McAfee doubling down on his comments, Favre’s lawyer, Eric Herschmann, joined Jason Whitlock’s podcast to throw down some not-so-subtle threats about what’s on the line.
"“It’s going to cost Pat McAfee millions of dollars. And if it bankrupts him, then he will have learned his lesson about you don’t try to promote yourself by inappropriately and improperly attacking somebody else.”"
As Awful Announcing pointed out, there is could be a considerable amount of bluster on Herschmann’s part and there are risks for Favre himself in pursuing the lawsuit. The standard for proving defamation is high and involves demonstrating intentional “malice” on the part of McAfee. Favre may also have to testify or be deposed under oath, which could lead to questions he may not want to answer about the welfare funds and the lawsuit with the state of Mississippi.