Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder’s libel suit against the corporate owner of the Washington City Paper has generated a lot of media attention in Washington and even nationally — but, so far, commentators have generally not focused on a recurring legal problem that the case seems to illuminate. That is the risk that a party with a deep pocket can use civil litigation as an effective predatory weapon against a poorer opponent.
The case, filed in New York on Feb. 2, seeks $100 million for damage to Snyder’s reputation from several unflattering City Paper articles questioning his effectiveness as owner and chief executive officer of the team (including “The Cranky Fans’ Guide to Dan Snyder,” published on Nov. 19, 2010). It also seeks punitive damages for good measure. Snyder has announced that he will give the damages actually recovered to a charity serving the homeless.
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