Eighteen months after being fired from his job with the Cleveland Browns Radio Network for placing a ceremonial wager, Bernie Kosar is fighting back.
According to Cleveland.com, the Browns legend has filed a lawsuit against BIGPLAY Media, accusing the Ohio-based media company of violating the terms of his contract. Kosar previously hosted The Bernie Kosar Show for BIGPLAY, which operates a studio out of Cleveland and provides on-air content for Bally Sports Ohio and Bally Sports Great Lakes.
In the lawsuit, the 60-year-old former quarterback says that while he agreed to place a bet using the platform of one of BIGPLAY’s sponsors once sports gambling became legal in Ohio at the start of 2023, his contract stipulated that he would “not be liable, nor responsible, for the amount of the wager nor will be entitled to any winnings that may occur as a result of the wager.” But upon arriving at the event, Kosar says that BIGPLAY co-manager David McAllester told him he would have to use his own money to place the advertised $19,000 bet on the Browns to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers the following week, which he agreed to do “in a show of good will.”
That decision proved costly — and not just because Pittsburgh proceeded to beat Cleveland. Prior to kickoff, Kosar took to social media to reveal that he had been fired by his former team for violating the NFL’s gambling policy.
.@BernieKosarQB bet $19K on the #Browns on @tipico as the first sports bet in Ohio 😳
He’s donating the money to charity if he wins that bet today.#RideWithBernie: https://t.co/n5ddoQOQQi pic.twitter.com/k5DpFnnrrX
— The Hanford Dixon Show (@TopDawgShow) January 8, 2023
Steelers GameDay yet once again I was informed by the Browns that my services are no longer desired or needed. I will not be doing todays radio program.I am shocked & disappointed 😢Brown & Orange is my life 🏈 #UMatter https://t.co/a834Gs3FSU @BernieKosarShow Go #Browns
— Bernie Kosar (@BernieKosarQB) January 8, 2023
Per the lawsuit, Kosar claims his contract with the Browns was worth $200,000. The 1987 Pro Bowl selection also says that BIGPLAY violated his contract by attempting to force him to make public appearances, which were required to be agreed on by both sides, and that BIGPLAY CEO Kendall Myles once threatened to hit him, told him “I own you” and screamed in his face.
Kosar is reportedly seeking $850,000 in damages, at least $25,000 in attorney’s fees and an unspecified amount of punitive damages. An attorney for Myles and BIGPLAY denied the claims, issuing the following statement to Cleveland.com: “The claims of wrongdoing in the complaint filed by Mr. Kosar are false, and we look forward to the opportunity to defend our clients in court. Otherwise, our policy is not to comment further on pending litigation.”
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.