Judge Makes Bombshell Decision On NFL Icon’s $25 Million Lawsuit Against ESPN

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Former NFL star Mark Gastineau has received some unwanted news this week. 

The former New York Jets defensive end had a $25 million lawsuit thrown out by a judge after suing the broadcasting network over its release of a ‘30 for 30’ documentary. 

ESPN featured the 69-year-old in their popular docuseries back in 2024, highlighting his career and achievements. 

The episode’s second half touched on his decision-making and the negative impact it’s had on his life since he retired. Included was his infamous confrontation with Brett Favre over the former quarterback allowing Michael Strahan to break his single-season sack record in 2001 by sliding into the ex-Giant.

Gastineau sued the network over its portrayal of the altercation, claiming it edited the footage to make him look bad. 

Many fans have voiced support for Gastineau since his filing. However, according to Front Office Sports, Judge Engelmayer didn’t see things his way, dismissing the lawsuit.

Judge Says Mark Gastineau Has No Case Against ESPN

Engelmeyer threw the suit out with prejudice, meaning Gastineau cannot refile, though he can appeal the ruling. 

“It is newsworthy in that the participants were nationally recognized football stars (Favre is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame), the exchange between them concerned a venerated NFL record, the incident featured prominently in the film, and, as the film reflects, Gastineau’s aggressive conduct appears to have driven a wedge within the Sack Exchange quartet that was the subject of the film,” the Judge wrote, per FOS.

Engelmeyer also noted that Gastineau agreed to have his name, image and likeness used in the film and ESPN, which left little in the way of objection. 

While things went downhill for Mark Gastineau after he left football, he will be remembered as one of the best defensive players of his era. 

A five-time Pro Bowler, he set the NFL single-season sack record with 22 in 1984. He hit the mark in 16 games.