New York Times Loses Defamation Lawsuit, Ordered To Pay Millions In Damages To Former Alabama Basketball Player

August 21, 2026 10:07 AM ET An Alabama jury has awarded millions in damages to former walk-on University of Alabama basketball player Kai Spears in his defamation lawsuit against The New York Times.The verdict was reached Thursday evening in the civil trial following roughly five hours of deliberation, the Tuscaloosa Patch first reported. Jurors found the NYT liable on Spears’ claims of defamation and false light/invasion of privacy, according to the Patch. (RELATED: Federal Court Sides With Trump Over Media Outlet In 11th Hour Decision)The verdict comes after the NYT published an article in 2023 that falsely said he was present at the scene of a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa, the outlet reported on Thursday. The eight-member jury awarded the player $9.25 million in damages, according to th