Jonas Schwartz, the former sportscaster for SportsNet New York, is suing his former employer.
“They let me go after [a] race dispute,” he claims.
Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reported that Schwartz plans to file a multi-million dollar retaliation and race discrimination lawsuit next week.
After spending 14 years on air for SNY, Schwartz has been let go following a racial dispute. Following the tragic death of Geroge Floyd, SNY decided to put together a four-person panel to discuss social injustice and raise awareness for police brutality. The panel consisted of Schwartz, Jeané Coakley, Bart Scott, and Ralph Vacchiano.
Ms. Coakley, who is of mixed race, disputed why Schwartz and Vacchiano (both white males) had any room to discuss these racial matters.
“No offense, but I don’t want to do this with a couple of white guys,” Coakley reportedly said.
SNY’s coordinating producer, Marc Davis, pulled Schwartz aside and gave him the week off. Agitated, Schwartz felt he had “a valued opinion” on the matter.
Kristan Peters-Hamlin, Schwartz’s lawyer, has already has filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
“We are not aware of any lawsuit being filed and have no comment,” SNY told The Post in a statement.
