Kosar sues podcast company over betting incident that led to loss of radio job. | Story

Former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar, who dismissed from office as a staff writer and pregame host for the Cleveland Browns at Good Karma Brands Sports “850 ESPN Cleveland” WKNR in 2023 after placing a legal bet on the Browns game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, claiming he was coerced into making the bet.

Kosar has filed a lawsuit against Bigplay Media, a company for which he hosted a podcast, accusing CEO Kendall Myles, among other things, of forcing him to make a bet that cost him his radio job.

Kosar had a contract with the media company to host a monthly podcast and make public appearances during the NFL offseason. In the lawsuit, Kosar said he tried to schedule appearances with the company but never heard back. Kosar claims Myles tried to pressure him into appearances during the season, which the former Cleveland Browns quarterback refused, citing his other commitments, including his role with the Browns and WKNR. The lawsuit says Myles threatened to hit Kosar and told him, “You’re mine.” Cleveland.com reports.

Kosar’s contract required him to place a bet on an event through a sports betting platform that partners with Bigplay Media once online betting becomes legal in Ohio. The lawsuit says Kosar’s contract stated that he “was neither liable nor responsible for the amount of the wager nor was he entitled to any winnings that might result from the wager.”

However, at the 2022 New Year’s Eve event, Kosar was forced to place a $19,000 bet with his own money. Kosar made the bet “out of goodwill,” the lawsuit says.

Kosar, who was employed by the Browns at the time, was fired when the team learned of the bet. Although it was a legal bet, it violated NFL rules.

“The allegations of misconduct in the complaint filed by Mr. Kosar are false and we look forward to the opportunity to defend our clients in court,” Bigplay’s attorney said in a statement. “Otherwise, it is our policy not to comment further on pending litigation.”

The lawsuit seeks $850,000 in compensatory damages, plus at least $25,000 in attorneys’ fees and an unspecified amount in punitive damages.