Marriott is responding to a $100 million lawsuit filed by former Dallas Cowboy Michael Irvin. Irvin's lawyers announced the suit last week, accusing the chain of defamation and interfering with a business relationship.
Irvin's lawyers say accusations of "harassing and inappropriate comments" led to ESPN and NFL Network cancelling appearances during Super Bowl week.
"I know I didn't do anything wrong, and I was trying to do everything right," Irvin said. "I just get emotional thinking about it because I'm struggling with what to do moving forward."
Marriott has now filed a response. The company says Irvin was staying at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown in a group of rooms booked by the NFL.
Marriott is asking for a protective order for its employees and to prevent Irvin's lawyers from releasing surveillance video to the public. Marriott says Irvin returned the night of February 5, a week before the Super Bowl, "and appeared to be visibly intoxicated in the Hotel bar."
Marriott says Irvin flagged down the woman who made the accusation and "stated that she was attractive and reached out to shake her hand, asked her name and introduced himself as 'Michael.'"
"Irvin also reached out and touched the victim’s arm during this conversation without her consent, causing her to step back, becoming visibly uncomfortable," Marriott's response reads.
The motion says Irvin made additional "inappropriate" comments and says he tried to grab her hand as she backed away. The motion says other employees then "noticed that the victim had a look of concern on her face and began moving toward Irvin and the victim, prompting Irvin to state that 'security' had noticed him and extend his hand for another handshake."
"After Irvin finished leering at the victim and turned back to Employee 1, he said aloud 'she bad,' 'she bad,' 'I want to hit that,' and slapped himself in the face three times, saying 'keep it together Mike.' Employee 1 observed that Irvin was slurring his words and acting like he was under the influence," the motion reads, saying Irvin then got into an elevator and left.
Irvin's lawyers have said hotel security went to his room and forced him to leave. In its response, Marriott says its own security did not intervene.
Instead, Marriott says after showing the video to an NFL investigator, the league "handled all communications with Irvin, including the need for him to leave the property."
Marriott is asking for a protective order saying Irvin's lawyers created a "media circus" and says it has received threats. Marriott wants the judge to prevent Irvin's lawyers from releasing the video saying the video shows employees and guests.
"The Court has already recognized that Marriott’s privacy concerns are 'well founded.' To be sure, the Court has permitted Marriott to 'take reasonable measures to protect the employee’s identity as necessary.' But given the high-profile nature of this case and media frenzy surrounding it (which Irvin and his counsel have created), there remains a significant risk that Irvin’s fans or others who wish the victim or the hotel will use this information to identify the Victim by any means necessary," the motion reads.
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