Former Governor Phil Bryant suing reporter for defamation
Former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and his wife, Deborah Bryant, are suing a Sports Illustrated reporter and Sports Illustrated’s parent company for defamation.
In May 2023, Sports Illustrated published an article written by SI senior writer Michael Rosenberg titled ‘The Driving Force: How Brett Favre’s Demands for Cash fueled a Scandal.’
In the article, Rosenberg alleges that Bryant, former MDHS Executive Director John Davis, former MCEC Director Nancy New, and former NFL Quarterback Brett Favre conspired to defraud the state of Mississippi of welfare dollars to construct a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi and invest in a pharmaceutical company.
Rosenberg claims Bryant orchestrated the scheme.
In a complaint filed on May 9th, lawyers for Bryant stated that The Sports Illustrated article reiterates claims published by Mississippi Today.
The suit says that Bryant is now demanding ‘special and general damages’ including, but not limited to, past and future income losses, impairment of reputation and standing in local, state, national, and business communities, personal humiliation, mental anguish, suffering, and emotional distress.’
Mrs. Bryant demands loss of consortium damages.
