Lawyers for Michael Irvin dropped the Pro Football Hall of Famer’s lawsuit against Marriott Tuesday morning after receiving the security camera footage of his interaction with an Arizona hotel employee that led to him being removed from NFL Network’s Super Bowl coverage.
After the announcement, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio claimed the decision to dismiss the lawsuit — without prejudice, meaning Irvin’s team can re-file a lawsuit — only brings up more questions.
“Marriott dug in its heels and refused to give it up, and ultimately pissed off the judge by defying his order as to the terms of disclosing the video — anytime someone acts like they have something to hide, it makes me think they have something to hide,” Florio told 105.3 The Fan’s Shan & RJ.
“Ultimately, it just raises more questions. How many different times was this version told? How many different versions were told? What was told to the NFL? I perked up and I think Shan I texted you about this when I saw that Marriott claimed the NFL actually got involved and interviewed the employee directly and saw the video before making the decision to remove Michael Irvin from the airwaves.
“There’s a hell of a story to be told here, and there’s a lot that deserves to be tested by cross-examination and scrutiny. We know what Marriott claims, but just the fact that they were so resistant and reluctant to put any cards on the table makes me wonder how strong the story is going to be. And I also wonder how far up the ladder this goes in the NFL, and if the NFL is going to be in the jackpot over all this.”
It is not the first time Florio has insinuated the NFL and NFL Network could be liable should Irvin want to turn his attention in that direction. Last week, the Pro Football Talk founder said it was clear someone — whether it be within the league office or at Marriott — overreacted, adding that he believed Marriott’s long tenure as an NFL sponsor played into the league’s quick response.
