ESPN Sued for Firing 2 Employees Who Refused COVID Vaccine

In Connecticut's federal district court, Allison Williams, a reporter and host from 2010 to 2021, and Beth Faber, a producer from 1991 to 2021, filed a lawsuit last week alleging religious discrimination and other claims.

Sheldon Karasik, a lawyer in New York, is the pair's legal counsel. He is also assisting three former NBA referees in a related employment lawsuit against the NBA.

Williams requested a vaccine exemption in August 2021, citing disability as justification, according to the 83-page complaint. Concerned about "the potential unknown consequences the immunization would have on the fetus," she was undergoing in vitro fertilization. Williams, a Christian according to the complaint, stated that she was unable to get vaccinated due to her "sincerely held and genuine religious views."

Williams was particularly troubled by the vaccinations' use of fetal lines, which a Catholic doctor has defined as "cells generated in a laboratory based on aborted fetal cells collected generations before." Fetal lines were employed in the creation of the Moderna and Pfizer MRNA vaccines as well as Johnson & Johnson's vaccine manufacture.

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, approved a statement that said "it is morally acceptable to receive COVID-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process." Although some Christians have expressed opposition to the use of fetal lines, Pope Francis has approved the statement.

Williams offered to wear a mask, submit to regular testing, and host programs either in-person or remotely. Williams previously had COVID and claimed to have some "natural immunity." ESPN allegedly informed her that "no accommodation was conceivable" because their venues demand immunization. The case dismisses that justification, pointing out that, with a few notable exceptions, NFL and collegiate football teams did not restrict the unvaccinated for the 2021 season. She was fired by ESPN in October.

Meanwhile, Faber is described as a "devout Catholic" who rejects vaccinations ant of "sincere and passionate religious belief." According to the complaint, an ESPN HR representative "threatened" her by suggesting that "maybe God has lead you to a different job," since "when God closes one door, he opens another." In order to "address their opposition to vaccination, and what accommodation might be acceptable from a religious point of view," this person allegedly asked the name of Faber's parish. In response, Faber wrote in an email: "I do not expect to be cross-examined or to have to call in a 'expert' on my own personal religious beliefs for anyone to assess me or my conviction in God's intention for me. My true religious convictions forbid me from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. I trust the Bible. I trust the direction I receive from them through scripture and prayer.

Williams and Faber also claim that Disney, which owns 80% of ESPN, and ESPN went above and beyond their roles as merely private companies to support vaccination policies put forth by the U.S. government and its armed forces. It is claimed that ESPN and Disney become state actors as a result of these actions, making them liable for upholding constitutional protections.

Disney "has a symbiotic connection with the Defense Department," the complaint claims.

In order to support their claim, the plaintiffs assert that "it is no secret that the Government partnered with Disney during World Military I and World War II—it was a vital component of the war effort in both wars. There was collaboration. They still collaborate in overt and covert ways today. The Defense Department allegedly maintains and occupies property it owns at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, as part of this connection. The military's involvement in Marvel feature films is said to be "responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in Disney revenue," according to another statement. The case also claims that late Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee "began his career working for the military.

Williams and Faber seek compensatory damages that reflect emotional distress as well as restitution for harm to their reputation. Judge Robert Chatigny has been tasked with handling the case.

An ESPN representative declined to offer any comments on the legal dispute. However, ESPN and Disney's legal representatives will respond to the complaint in the upcoming weeks and ask for its dismissal. Be prepared for the defendants to dispute factual claims and maintain that they acted legally when enforcing a reasonable workplace regulation. ESPN would probably contend that despite carefully weighing Faber and Williams' requests, ESPN was unable to comply with them because of the in-person nature of their work. ESPN might also claim that neither Williams nor Faber completely complied with the requests for additional details and support made by human resources.