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New York Jets Deny Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Job Discrimination

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The New York Jets have stated that a lawsuit filed against them and Brett Favre is "completely without merit." The lawsuit, brought by two massage therapists, Christina Scavo and Shannon O'Toole, alleges that they were subjected to sexual harassment and job discrimination. According to the lawsuit, the women received sexually suggestive text messages from Favre while he was with the team in 2008.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit claims that Favre sent text messages to the two women, including one that proposed a meeting with them and a third unidentified massage therapist, saying "Kinda lonely tonight. I guess I have bad intentions."
  • The Jets deny any knowledge of the allegations until the lawsuit was filed, stating that the women never reported the allegations to the team.
  • Favre's agent, Bus Cook, has not commented on the matter.
  • The lawsuit is the latest controversy for the Jets in a turbulent, winning season.
  • The Jets and Favre are being sued for unspecified damages.
  • Favre was previously fined $50,000 by the NFL for not being forthright in an investigation into allegations that he sent lewd text messages and photos to former Jets game hostess Jenn Sterger.
  • The Jets have been fined $100,000 by the NFL for violating league rules when assistant coach Sal Alosi ordered players to form a sideline wall.
  • The Jets have had multiple other controversies, including a foot-fetish report and a workplace conduct program developed by the team's owner, Woody Johnson.

Statistics:

  • $50,000: The amount fined by the NFL against Favre for not being forthright in the investigation into allegations that he sent lewd text messages and photos to Jenn Sterger.
  • $100,000: The amount fined by the NFL against the Jets for violating league rules when assistant coach Sal Alosi ordered players to form a sideline wall.
  • $50,000: The amount fined by the Jets against coach Rex Ryan for his obscene gesture toward a fan during a mixed-martial arts competition in Florida.
  • 11-5: The record of the New York Jets at the time of the filing of the lawsuit.
  • 10-6: The record of the Indianapolis Colts, against whom the Jets will play in the opening playoff round.

Sources:

  • The New York Jets team statement, as reported by the Associated Press on January 3, 2011
  • The lawsuit filed by Christina Scavo and Shannon O'Toole, cited in the Associated Press article
  • The NFL fine of Brett Favre, as reported by the Associated Press on January 3, 2011
  • The NFL fine of the New York Jets, as reported by the Associated Press on January 3, 2011
  • The Toronto Star article, as cited in the text.

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