How did the media get it so wrong on Scottie Pippen’s finances?
Despite what has been reported, Scottie Pippen says his income hasn't dipped below 40 million dollars since Michael Jordan first bought his first pair of painted wide-leg jeans.
I know that folks love a good “super rich athlete goes broke story,” but how could the media get it so entirely wrong on Scottie Pippen?
It’s one thing to say that a guy doesn’t have any money, it’s wholly different to say that he filed for bankruptcy…something that’s typically searchable. Pippen is suing CNBC, CBS Interactive and other companies and sites for false reporting his bankruptcy.
All of Defendants’ above statements are false. Scottie never filed bankruptcy and indeed has a substantial net worth, which has not been less than approximately $40,000,000 in the last ten years.
The most telling thing about his legal filing is that once a story like this-about a high profile athlete and a salacious mishandling of funds (private jets and such)-is posting once it will be published again and again and again and again (including on sites like this one) in some cases pointing to back to the original source in other cases not. A long time ago a misreport was a simple misreport. Now, misreport is akin to digitally branding someone, a point that Pippen’s lawyers make.
Investigate blogger Brooks of SportsbyBrooks brought up a good point: It’s clear that the media got it wrong, but can Pippen prove he was financially damaged by the reports?
It looks like the legal documents ask for an amount that the judge thinks is appropriate meaning that Pippen isn’t suing for a specific amount.
I’ll be interested to see how this plays out. I think it’s entirely possible that the news reports could make it more difficult for Pippen to find business partners. But if his networth truly hasn’t dipped below 40 million that’s something he can prove to whomever he works with.
[Click on the "Read More" tab below to finish reading this post]
I do think it’s unfair for Pippen to walk around with this scarlet B (lmao), but that doesn’t mean he was financially harmed.
My favorite part of the legal documents (can you have a favorite part of a lawsuit filing?) is the beginning part where Pippen shows us what a stellar reputation these false reports ruined (according to him).
Scottie is remembered as one of the most versatile and agile players, and perhaps most notably as one of the greatest defenders, to ever play the game of basketball. Much like fellow Bull Michael Jordan, Scottie could provide tenacious on-the-ball perimeter defense, or tough interior defense, and he was particularly effective as a help defender. He was gifted with extraordinary athleticism, even compared with other professional athletes, and skills in areas that bode well for basketball.
Throughout his life, Scottie worked zealously to create and maintain a reputation in the community as a person of impeccable character, who has worked tirelessly to succeed as a student, teammate, businessperson, community member, husband, father, and mentor to children and youth.
No argument here.
Filed Under:
Scottie PippenShare
