By: Emma Hurst, Staff Writer
On November 1, 2018, a lawsuit was filed against NHL forward Evander Kane.[1] Kane, a forward for the San Jose Sharks, is being sued for breach of contract by an unnamed ex-girlfriend.[2] The ex-girlfriend is seeking $6 million, $3 million for what Kane promised her, and $3 million for “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”[3] The claim against Kane alleges that since 2015, Kane had impregnated her three times.[4] The first pregnancy was terminated mutually between the couple.[5] However, for the second pregnancy, the woman claims Kane forced her to abort the pregnancy.[6] After becoming pregnant for a third time, the woman refused to obtain an abortion until Kane offered her $3 million to terminate the pregnancy.[7] However, Kane never paid and is now being sued for the payment, and the emotional distress inflicted from the previous abortions.[8] Kane, in addressing the suit, states the accusations are “a bunch of B.S. … Anybody can say anything they want nowadays. I’m not really going to talk about it further, because it’s not going to help me, it’s not going to do any good.”[9] Kane’s attorney, Paul J. Cambria Jr., reacted similarly, asserting, “We firmly believe that this lawsuit is baseless both factually and legally,” Cambria Jr. said.[10] “We will aggressively defend this claim in court on Evander’s behalf and assert all applicable counterclaims.”[11]
While litigation against professional athletes is not uncommon, frivolous claims can be harmful to careers. Before projecting opinions, declaring an athlete guilty, or stating that claims are “a bunch of B.S.,” it is important to let the law do its job.[12] In 2015, Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane, was accused of rape.[13] The hockey community was quick to voice their distress that Patrick Kane should not be allowed to play. However, the Blackhawks allowed Kane to play. The team’s decision was not made lightly but choose to trust the legal process before automatically deciding Patrick Kane’s fate.[14] In a statement, the Blackhawks asserted, “The Chicago Blackhawks organization has taken this matter very seriously and has tried to navigate a very sensitive situation while continually respecting the legal proceedings.”[15] Ultimately, this was the best course of action, as the prosecutor closed the investigation and “outlined what amounted to a strong defense for the hockey player and raised sharp doubts about the truthfulness of the woman’s accusation.”[16] Yet, some in the hockey community turned their backs on Patrick Kane and argued he should have been suspended from playing during the investigation.[17] Had that been the path the NHL and the Blackhawks took, that would have caused Patrick Kane to have missed three months of the season on a meritless accusation.[18]
Both Patrick Kane, and Evander Kane’s stories shed light on to a bigger issue that is often seen around professional athletes, when to blame and when to let the law do its job. While it is easy to be quick to judge, allowing the legal process to happen is what makes the legal system so unique and important. False claims can lead to a lasting judgment that can affect a player throughout their careers. While Evander Kane has an unfavorable history, he had shown growth since moving to San Jose.[19] If it turns out this lawsuit is false, it is just another unnecessary blemish on Kane’s record. It is important, in situations like these, to allow the legal process to happen.
Sources:
[1]https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nhl-player-evander-kane-facing-6m-lawsuit-as-ex-girlfriend-claims-he-reneged-on-3m-abortion-payment
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[13]https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-patrick-kane-rape-case-decision-20151105-story.html
[14]Id.
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[17]https://nationalpost.com/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-was-still-wrong-to-let-patrick-kane-play-amid-rape-investigation-charge-or-no-charge
[18]https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-patrick-kane-rape-case-decision-20151105-story.html
[19]https://www.nhl.com/news/evander-kane-hitting-it-off-with-san-jose-after-trade-from-buffalo/c-296983092
