New York Times forced to pay Alabama basketball player $9.25 million in damages

An Alabama jury has settled a defamation lawsuit surrounding former Crimson Tide player Kai Spears.

Kai Spears, a former walk-on basketball player at Alabama, was awarded $9.25 million in a defamation case against the New York Times this week.

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 P

Kai Spears incorrectly linked to death of young mother Times says it had not lost libel case in more than 50 years An Alabama jury has awarded $9.25m in damages after finding that the New York Times defamed a college basketball player by incorrectly reporting that he was at the scene of a fatal shooting. Kai Spears,

The New York Times was defeated in a defamation lawsuit Thursday brought by a former college basketball player and ordered to pay millions in damages.

Jury rules New York Times defamed Alabama basketball player with incorrect story about shooting, awards $9.25M  Chicago Tribune

An Alabama jury finds The New York Times defamed a college basketball player by incorrectly reporting that he was at the scene of a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa

Jury says The New York Times defamed Alabama basketball player with incorrect story about shooting  AP News

An Alabama jury awarded Kai Spears $9.25 million in damages after finding The New York Times defamed the former University of Alabama basketball player.

An Alabama jury finds The New York Times defamed a college basketball player by incorrectly reporting that he was at the scene of a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa

Jury rules New York Times defamed Alabama basketball player  ESPN

Jury says The New York Times defamed Alabama basketball player with incorrect story about shooting  Toronto Star