Varsity Spirit lawyers threaten to sue for defamation after lawsuit claims sexual abuse of teen athlete
A cheerleading company named in a federal lawsuit claiming sexual abuse of athletes is threatening a suit of its own.
On Tuesday, lawyers for Varsity Spirit said they are prepared to sue for defamation.
Thomas Clare, a partner at the law firm Clare Locke, wrote a letter Tuesday to Bakari Sellers of Strom Law Firm.
Last week, Sellers filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of a male athlete, who claimed he was sexually abused by coaches at Cheer Extreme gyms in Raleigh and Kernersville. The lawsuit claimed the gym failed to address it and protect others.
The lawsuit also named Varsity Spirit, a company that hosts cheer events.
Clare’s letter states Sellers made false and damaging allegations in court papers without facts.
“The fact that brave men and women have come forward to make specific allegations of abuse against individual coaches, and others employed and supervised by gym owners, does not give you license to make blatantly false public claims about Varsity Spirit,” Clare wrote.
Varsity Spirit spokesperson Liz Janisse with FTI Consulting provided a written statement on the lawsuit filed against the cheerleading company.
“Varsity Spirit’s concern, first and foremost, is for the survivors and their safety, and Varsity Spirit wholeheartedly supports survivors in their pursuit of justice against the individuals responsible,” Janisse wrote. “That said, Mr. Sellers has made alarming accusations against Varsity without providing a shred of evidence in his sham litigation against the company.
“We have asked him to provide such evidence. He has not.”
Sellers provided WRAL News with a written response.
“We are committed to our clients and vigorously prosecuting these cases and take our responsibilities to the clients and the court very seriously,” Sellers wrote. “We hope this does not have the effect of chilling those who have suffered abuse from coming forward.
Days after Sellers filed the lawsuit, Wake County Public Schools cut ties with Varsity Spirit. The company sponsored many of the district’s competitive events.
