Overview
- A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed on Sept. 3 the dismissal of Grant Napear's wrongful-termination suit, ruling Bonneville lawfully fired him for a 2020 social-media reply.
- The panel said Napear's celebrity broadcaster persona and an account linked to his radio show, together with contract language requiring a high standard on social media, meant the post fell within the scope of his professional capacity.
- Napear posted “ALL LIVES MATTER … EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!” in response to DeMarcus Cousins in May 2020, was suspended the next day, was fired the day after that, and then resigned his long-running TV play-by-play job with the Sacramento Kings.
- Napear's lawyer said his team will seek a rehearing en banc and may petition the U.S. Supreme Court, while Napear continues to host a podcast after a brief, later-canceled return to Sacramento radio.
- Legal experts and the appeals opinion flagged that California statutes Napear cited do not protect speech the court views as within an employee’s professional role, a ruling that could shape how employers regulate public-facing staff online.