Michael Irvin has filed a $100 million lawsuit against an employee at a Renaissance Arizona hotel who alleges the Cowboys legend made an inappropriate comment about her this week, leading to his dismissal from the ongoing Super Bowl LVII coverage led by NFL Network. Renaissance Hotels’ parent company, Marriott, is also named in the lawsuit for allegedly plotting to make Irvin the next victim of the “cancellation culture.”
Irvin’s alleged comment was not revealed and his accuser is listed as “Jane Doe” in the filing obtained by .
The NFL Network personality says he’s been “smashed” with false allegations that threaten his broadcasting career.
“Following a friendly 45 second conversation with the staff member in an open lobby witnessed by others, multiple witnesses have given testimony confirming that Michael was a gentleman and behaved exactly as you see on TV” , said a statement from McCathern, the Texas law firm representing Irvin. “He was friendly with the fans, taking pictures and talking to anyone who wanted some of their time.”
Marriott spokesmen have not responded to ‘s request for comment.
Michael Irvin has filed a $100 million lawsuit against a woman who alleges the Cowboys legend made an inappropriate comment about her at an Arizona hotel this week, prompting his release from ongoing Super Bowl LVII coverage operated by NFL Network
Renaissance Hotels’ parent company, Marriott, is also named in the lawsuit for allegedly plotting to make Irvin the next victim of the cancel culture. The alleged incident is believed to have taken place at the Renaissance Hotel site in Glendale, Arizona (pictured).
After returning to his room after the brief exchange with the woman, Irving claims he was woken up by hotel staff, who removed him from the hotel without explanation.
“The plaintiff was found guilty without even knowing the allegations,” the complaint reads. ‘A few days later, the plaintiff was removed from his scheduled program and essentially ‘off the air’ and ‘cancelled’ as a result of these allegations.’
In his lawsuit, Irving claims he has witnesses to support his statement that he and Doe “casually exchanged pleasantries,” adding that the 56-year-old “shook her hand and went to his room alone.”
The filing also alleges that the hotel refused to listen to eyewitness accounts of the interaction.
In addition, the hotel manager is accused of reporting the incident to the NFL “with intent to damage and sever that relationship.” [Irvin].’
“While the plaintiff was asleep, one of the hotel’s managers reported to the NFL what appears to be false information that the plaintiff was accusing him of improper conduct towards a hotel employee,” the complaint reads. “The NFL responded by removing the plaintiff from all scheduled Super Bowl-related programming. Plaintiff’s representatives have contacted the hotel and even met in person to gain clarification on this situation, provide witnesses and resolve this matter before the plaintiff’s reputation could be further harmed – but to no avail.’
In his lawsuit, Irving claims he has witnesses who can support his statement that he and Doe “casually exchanged pleasantries,” adding that the 56-year-old “shook her hand and went to his room alone.”
Irving says he’s had performances canceled as a result of the allegations.
“It is clear that Michael is the latest victim of our abandonment culture, where all it takes is one charge to ruin someone’s life,” McCathern said in the company’s statement. “Michael looks forward to clearing his name in court and hopes the court will also bring the truth to public opinion.”
‘When I got to the hotel [on Sunday night]They asked what I did, and I said, “I just walked right into the room,” Irvin said, as quoted by TMZ. “But I think I met someone in the lobby — talked to someone in the lobby for about a minute, and then I went to my room. And when I was up there, they said they had to take me to the hotel. I said, ‘What are you taking me to the hotel for?’
“So they moved my hotel and I was like, ‘What’s up guys? What’s up? Why are we moving?”
“They said, ‘Well, last night you came in and talked to someone.’ I said, ‘I didn’t talk to anyone. I went straight to the room.”
“And then they showed it on camera that I was talking to someone. I talked to this girl for about a minute. I don’t know what – they didn’t show me. You told me. I did not see it. But that’s why they moved me because I think the girl said I told her something the minute we were talking and that’s why they moved me.
“So I’m kind of hiding to see how things pan out,” Irvin added. ‘It was a tiny meeting somewhere in the lobby. I don’t even really remember it because I’ve had a few drinks to tell you the truth.’
NFL Network reporter Michael Irvin speaks with Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni during Super Bowl Opening Night at the Footprint Center
Speaking to the Dallas Morning News, Irvin said his only physical interaction with the woman was a brief handshake.
Though no formal complaint was filed, the hotel alerted NFL Network to the alleged incident, which resulted in Irvin’s removal, has learned.
Irvin, 56, told his side of the story to Dallas radio station 105.3 the Fan on Wednesday morning, saying he spoke briefly to a woman in his hotel lobby but couldn’t remember what he said to spark a complaint.
“Michael Irvin will not be part of NFL Network’s weekly coverage of Super Bowl LVII,” NFL Network spokesman Alex Reithmiller told in a statement.
Irvin has faced other allegations in the past.
In 1996, a Cowboys cheerleader claimed that Irvin and Dallas offensive lineman Erik Williams sexually assaulted her at gunpoint, but the accuser later pleaded guilty to perjury and filed a false police report.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid speaks with NFL Network reporter Michael Irvin during Super Bowl Opening Night at the Footprint Center
That same year, Irvin was arrested in a hotel room with cocaine and exotic dancers, and later pleaded guilty to drug possession. He was arrested again in 2001 for cocaine possession, although those charges were ultimately dropped.
In a civil lawsuit in 2007, Irvin was accused of sexual assault at a Florida casino. He filed a counterclaim and the two sides settled out of court.
Florida prosecutors declined to charge Irvin with allegations that he drugged and sexually assaulted a 27-year-old woman in March 2017 due to lack of evidence.
Irvin told reporters in July 2017 that he lost “millions” of dollars in endorsements and business deals as a result of the claims against him. He also said he was “devastated” by the allegations, in part because they were made by a young woman he believed to be a friend.
The woman claimed she was at a bar in Miami with Irvin when they decided to go to his room at the W Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. Shortly after arriving at the room, she claimed she felt sick and the last thing she remembered was trying to fend off Irvin, she told police at the time.
She told police she didn’t remember anything else until she woke up the next morning. After taking an Uber home around 7:30 a.m., she called the police to report the alleged drug abuse and rape.