Imagine suing someone for free publicity. Seems ridiculous doesn’t it? Well, That’s what’s happening.
According to Barstool Sports President Dave Portnoy, Chicago based sports journalist and author Julie DiCaro is suing the company, host Kirk Minihane and Kirk Minihane Show employee Justin Trudell for copyright infringement.
What sparked this lawsuit is Trudel reading DiCaro’s book, Sidelined: Sports, Culture, and Being a Woman in America live on YouTube while providing his analysis of the book and responding to comments. The book, which is currently ranked number 83,480 on the Amazon best sellers list, tells the tale of women in sports journalism and DiCaro’s experiences in the business.
DiCaro and Barstool have had issues in the past. Even going as far as DiCaro writing “B*rstool” while referring to the media outlet. Kirk Minihane has had run-ins with DiCaro as well. Minihane mocked the book, saying that the book was probably going to be awful. Minihane’s thoughts about the book prompted Trudell to read and comment on the book on YouTube.
Trudell responded to the litigation on another YouTube show by saying “This is a top 5 moment of my life.” When I asked for comment, Trudell said "She's suing a fat depressed boy who likes Star Wars."
When asked about the impending court case, former Barstool employee and Kirk Minihane Show sidekick “Blind” Mike Geary said “It’s hilarious.”
In reference to the lawsuit, Dave Portnoy tweeted that he would rather “stick a fork in my eye than settle with her.”
Being someone who listened to the entire reading of the book on YouTube, Trudell’s commentary was on point. He even gave DiCaro credit for calling out former Lakers star Kobe Bryant, and the media coverage of him, for not acknowledging his rape allegations. Other than that, the book was just a “greatest hits” of women’s issues in sports.
DiCaro went in depth on the history of women journalists being allowed in locker rooms. She frequently quoted “Let Them Wear Towels” in reference to episodes of sexism against women sportswriters.
DiCaro then went on to make accusations against Minihane and Barstool Sports with almost no proof included, and never reached out for comment. Meanwhile, she did not respond to BO Blogs when asked for comment.
While DiCaro claims to be a champion against sexualization of women in sports, and society in general, Minihane pointed out an article she wrote rating the “butts” of male athletes. Minihane went on to point out the obvious hypocrisy of her comments.
Now, first things first. DiCaro should be thanking Minihane, Trudell and Barstool for giving her book more publicity than it ever would have gotten. If it wasn’t discussed and read on YouTube, very few Barstool fans would have ever heard of the book. Any other author would be thrilled to get their book mentioned on one of the biggest sports media networks in the country.
Not only that, but Trudell provided a valuable service to the blind and visually impaired community, of which I am a member. At the time of the book's release, the audiobook was not available to be purchased. I am not able to read print copies of the book, and needed Trudell’s reading to be able to take in the content. He did a tremendous job by the way. Despite his butchering of several simple words and the name of actress Sigourney Weaver. Is this lawsuit DiCaro campaigning against the ability of those with low or no vision from reading her book? Sure seems that way.
In my opinion, the book wasn’t good. I listened to the whole thing and it was a struggle to get through. And without the reading, there is no way I would have ever read the book. I would’ve looked up excerpts and reviews to mock the hypocrisy she is known for. Also, DiCaro should be careful, she quoted “Let Them Wear Towels” quite a bit. Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
If we are being honest, this is just a publicity stunt by the DiCaro camp. They know that they aren’t going to win this one. And if anything, the reading made them money. But she seems like she is going to pursue this losing case. So we will see what happens, but in my opinion it’ll be thrown out quickly due to Tuedell’s very insightful commentary during the reading.
Stay tuned to BO Blogs for updates as we get them.