Pat McAfee files motion to dismiss Brett Favre’s ‘meritless’ defamation lawsuit

Pat McAfee filed a motion to dismiss Brett Favre’s amended defamation lawsuit against him Friday. 

McAfee, a former NFL punter-turned-sports media personality, was sued by the Packers legend over statements made on his talk show about Favre’s involvement in a $77 million welfare fraud scheme in Mississippi.

Favre has not been charged with a crime in the case, but did receive $1.1 million in federal welfare funding, which he then used on a series of personal projects, such as a volleyball gym at his alma mater, Southern Miss, where his daughter played the sport at the time.

The motion branded the lawsuit ‘meritless’ and insisted there was an interest to protect free speech. 

‘In meritless cases like this one, there is a powerful interest in ensuring free speech is not unduly burdened by the necessity of defending against expensive, baseless litigation. 

‘As a public figure brining suit against s media defendant for reporting on matters of public concern, which are the subject of official proceedings and detailed at length in public records, Favre cannot state a claim for defamation upon which relief can be granted.’ 

The new filing also claimed Favre’s amended complaint against McAfee included ‘pages of re-engineered allegations’ and labelled it ‘as deficient as his original.’

More to follow.