Former UFC champion Conor McGregor is being sued for alleged sexual battery at the Kaseya Center during Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, was initiated by a 49-year-old woman who works as a senior vice president at a major Wall Street financial institution.
The Allegations
The lawsuit claims McGregor assaulted the woman in a men’s bathroom at the Miami Heat’s home arena on June 9, 2023. According to her attorney, James Dunn, the woman was led to the bathroom by someone affiliated with McGregor, where the alleged assault took place.
Dunn stated, “My client has thought long and hard about pursuing this civil case and is fearful of the potential impact on her career on Wall Street. However, her primary goal is to raise awareness and encourage others to report sexual assault.”
Lawsuit Details
The lawsuit accuses arena staff and security of negligence, alleging they failed to protect the woman and continued serving McGregor alcohol despite being aware of a “heightened risk of battery.” It also references an incident during a promotional skit at the game, where McGregor punched the Miami Heat mascot, Burnie, and sprayed him with a promotional product.
The plaintiff claims the arena staff’s lack of intervention contributed to the alleged assault.
Previous Investigation
Authorities investigated the allegations for four months but ultimately declined to file criminal charges. This civil lawsuit seeks to hold McGregor and arena employees accountable for the alleged incident.
McGregor’s Legal History
McGregor, known for being a UFC champion in two weight classes simultaneously, has faced legal issues in the past. In November, a civil court in Ireland awarded €250,000 to a woman who claimed McGregor had sexually assaulted her.
Responses and Next Steps
The Associated Press has reached out to McGregor’s legal team and Miami Heat representatives for comment, but neither has responded. Heat spokesperson Lorrie-Ann Diaz declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.
The case highlights the challenges of navigating high-profile allegations and the broader conversation around sexual assault accountability.
