Dawn Staley Sues Missouri AD Jim Sterk for Defamation over Racial Slur Claims

After negative comments from Missouri athletic director Jim Sterk last month, South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley has filed a defamation lawsuit against him, according to ESPN.

Sterk said South Carolina fans spit on Missouri players and called them racial slurs after a loss to South Carolina in January, which he blamed on Staley.

"It wasn't a great atmosphere. It was really kind of unhealthy if you will," Sterk explained on KTGR radio, via ESPN. "We had players spit on and called the N-word and things like that. It was not a good environment. And unfortunately I think Coach Staley promoted that kind of atmosphere, and it's unfortunate that she felt she had to do that."

Sterk was fined $25,000 by the SEC for his comments, but Staley didn't feel it was enough.

In her lawsuit filed Thursday, the coach is seeking up to $75,000 in damages for his "false, defamatory and reckless" statements."

Meanwhile, the SEC is also investigating South Carolina's game management procedures to hopefully prevent negative fan behavior in the future.

Staley is perhaps best known for her Hall of Fame playing career, starring in the WNBA while winning three Olympic gold medals with Team USA. The 47-year-old has continued her success as a coach, leading the Gamecocks to their first national championship last season.

The squad continues to succeed in her 10th year with the school, ranking in the top 10 once again with a 22-5 record in 2017-18. 

South Carolina and Missouri split their two regular-season games this season, although the off-court rivalry appears to be a much bigger story at this point.