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Judge Dismisses Mark Gastineau’s $25 Million Suit Over ESPN ‘30 for 30’

The court said a signed talent agreement authorized the Favre-confrontation footage as part of a newsworthy film.

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer threw out the case with prejudice, though Gastineau can appeal.
  • The ruling found Gastineau consented in writing to the use of his name and likeness in the documentary and related promotion.
  • The authorization was deemed broad enough to cover extrinsic footage, including the 2023 exchange with Brett Favre, and granted Gastineau no veto rights.
  • The judge called the scene newsworthy given the participants’ prominence and its connection to the long-debated single-season sack record.
  • Gastineau had sued in March 2025 alleging deceptive editing, reputational harm and misuse of his likeness after the December 2024 film featured the viral clip.