# New York Times Alabama defamation lawsuit verdict > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/new-york-times-alabama-defamation-lawsuit-verdict > Updated: 2026-08-24T10:04:44.000Z. Sources: 40. Developments: 2. An Alabama jury has ordered The New York Times to pay $9.25 million in damages to Kai Spears, a former University of Alabama basketball player, following a defamation and invasion of privacy lawsuit. The legal action originated from a March 2023 report that incorrectly identified Spears as a passenger in a vehicle involved in a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa. The report, which relied on a single anonymous source, was later corrected by the newspaper in June 2023. However, Spears alleged the error caused permanent reputational damage and emotional distress. This verdict, reached after a nine-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, represents the first time in over 50 years that The New York Times has lost a defamation lawsuit in the United States. A spokesperson for the newspaper described the report as an ‘honest mistake’ and stated the company is reviewing its legal options. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: New York Times ordered to pay $9.25M in Alabama defamation case An Alabama jury awarded $9.25 million to former basketball player Kai Spears, finding The New York Times liable for defamation regarding inaccurate reporting on a 2023 fatal shooting. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-times-ordered-to-pay-925m-in-alabama-defamation-case ### 2026-08-21: New York Times ordered to pay $9.25M in defamation lawsuit An Alabama jury ordered The New York Times to pay $9.25 million to former Alabama basketball player Kai Spears for defamation regarding a false 2023 report linking him to a fatal shooting. 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-times-ordered-to-pay-925-million-in-defamation-suit --- Cite as: New York Times Alabama defamation lawsuit verdict. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/new-york-times-alabama-defamation-lawsuit-verdict