Father Sues Newspaper for Not Adequately Covering Son's Basketball Games
3 minute readPublished: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 1:04 pm
**Father's Lawsuit Against Newspaper Dismissed by Vermont Court**
A Vermont Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a father against a newspaper, ruling in favor of the publication's editorial discretion. The case, decided on May 20th, involved a father, acting as his own legal representative, who alleged that the newspaper, Vermont Varsity Insider, failed to adequately cover his son's high school basketball games.
The father, a self-described "lifelong student of the game," claimed his son was a top-performing player. He argued that the newspaper's platform, despite advertising statewide coverage, primarily focused on schools within a specific county, where the newspaper had commercial relationships. The father contended that his son's impressive performances, including multiple 30-point games during the 2024-2025 season, were not reported, despite his repeated complaints. He asserted this lack of coverage damaged his son's college prospects and caused him significant emotional distress, including physical symptoms requiring medical treatment.
The father's complaint sought financial compensation for damages and alleged violations of the Vermont Consumer Protection Act, breach of contract, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and unjust enrichment.
However, the court sided with the newspaper, citing constitutional protections for freedom of speech and press. The judge emphasized that these protections extend to editorial decisions, including the selection of content. The court found that the father's claims essentially sought to punish the newspaper for its reporting choices, specifically its alleged "selective reporting" and failure to provide "balanced" or "comprehensive" coverage. The court determined that these allegations did not establish a valid legal claim.
In addition to dismissing the lawsuit, the court awarded the newspaper its attorney fees under Vermont's anti-SLAPP statute, which protects against strategic lawsuits against public participation. The court also noted the father's use of fabricated case citations and quotations in his filings, despite prior warnings, and ordered him to explain why sanctions should not be imposed.
BNN's Perspective:
This case highlights the delicate balance between freedom of the press and the public's desire for comprehensive coverage. While the court rightly upheld the newspaper's editorial autonomy, it also underscores the importance of transparency and ethical reporting practices. The father's frustration is understandable, but the court's decision reaffirms the fundamental principle that news organizations have the right to make their own editorial choices.
Keywords:
Vermont, lawsuit, newspaper, basketball, coverage, editorial, free speech, court, dismissal, Vermont Varsity Insider, father, son, sports, reporting, damages, Vermont Consumer Protection Act, breach of contract, negligent infliction of emotional distress, unjust enrichment, attorney fees, sanctions.