A social media publish by one Jets participant could have been somewhat too saucy and is now inflicting authorized points for himself and one well-known sports activities media firm.
All-Professional cornerback Sauce Gardner is being sued by Kalli Mariakis, a 42-year-old mother from Mississippi, for allegedly defaming her throughout a social media spat the place he falsely claimed she had an OnlyFans account.
The swimsuit, which was filed in New Jersey Superior Courtroom on Dec. 31, additionally names Barstool Sports activities as a defendant, in keeping with courtroom paperwork seen by The Put up.
VaynerSports, which represents Gardner, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The lawsuit first got here to life after an Ohio legislation agency blogged about it on Tuesday.
The lawsuit stems from an August 2024 alternate on X between Gardner and Mariakis, who’s described within the swimsuit as an “ardent” fan of the Payments.
Gardner had posted a photograph of containers, a ladder and development tools and captioned the publish, “Do I even have to say what I’m getting built at my new house?”
That drew a response from Mariakis the place she — “jokingly,” per the swimsuit — wrote again to him: “A simulator to teach you how not to commit pass interference or defensive holding?”
That’s when Gardner replied with the publish in query, as he insinuated that Mariakis had an account on OnlyFans, which is a subscription platform primarily related to sexually specific content material.
“I’m sure your husband wouldn’t like it if I told him you [direct messaged] me your OF link would he?” Gardner replied.
The lawsuit claimed that the social media response by Gardner was seen by at the least 9.5 million folks and acknowledged that Mariakis known as on the Jets star to offer proof of his claims in two separate social media replies.
Gardner “or someone acting on his behalf” deleted the publish from his X account on Aug. 22, the lawsuit acknowledged.
The swimsuit denies Mariakas had any such OnlyFans account, accusing Gardner of constructing a “knowingly false and malicious statement,” whereas additionally claiming that it was amplified by a Barstool Sports activities publish titled: “If you’re a Married OnlyFans Model Who’s Been DMing Sauce Gardner, You’d Be Wise Not to Troll Him about His Coverage Skill.”
Mariakis and her household “experienced numerous embarrassing moments and harassment from acquaintances, friends, family, co-workers and the public at large” concerning the Gardner publish and Barstool article, the swimsuit claimed.
It added that folks had “cast aspersions on plaintiff and raised questions about her internet activity, especially referencing plaintiff’s alleged — and non-existent — OnlyFans account and, in that connection, questioned her character and reputation as a respectable young-women, wife and mother.”
The lawsuit is asking for compensatory damages, punitive damages, courtroom prices and charges from each Gardner and Barstool Sports activities.
A request for remark from the lawyer representing Mariakis was not instantly returned.
Gardner’s social media habits have gotten him into bother earlier than.
He needed to apologize in November over posts by which he fired again at a reporter and a fan following the crew’s loss to the Cardinals on Nov. 10.
On the time Gardner stated that he had deleted X from his cellphone.
Gardner had 49 tackles, 9 passes defended, one interception and one sack in his third NFL season.
