ESPN pressed the mute button on Doug Adler.
Now the veteran commentator is suing ESPN for firing him after a "guerilla effect" comment he made during a Venus Williams match at the Australian Open.
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Adler, whose attorney filed the lawsuit against ESPN in Los Angeles Superior Court today, charges the network bowed to social media pressure in dismissing him.
ESPN “took the easy way out and bowed to the Twitter universe of haters” alleges Adler in his lawsuit.
"I knew I’d been treated badly and unfairly,” Adler told the Southern California News Group writer Ryan Kartje. “When I saw what it was doing to my reputation, I knew I’d have to fight for my name.
“They told me the Twitter world had basically started labeling me as a racist."
Adler came under fire for saying the the seven-time Grand Slam champion "put the guerilla effect on" with her net-rushing style in her 6-3, 6-2, second-round victory over Stefanie Voegele.
Critics took to Twitter with some expressing outrage believing Adler was comparing Williams to a "gorilla." Adler apologized and clarified he was referring to Venus’ aggressive style as “guerrilla" tactics and not comparing her to a "gorilla."
Adler, a former ATP pro and All American at USC, apologized for his comment last month and ESPN announced it had "removed him from his remaining assignments."
Adler's attorney, David Ring, told the Southern California News Group ESPN "recklessly made the wrong call” and slammed the network for a "cowardly move."
“It was not only political correctness gone overboard, but also a cowardly move that ruined a good man’s career,” Ring said.
Asked about the controversy after her Australian Open third-round victory, Venus Williams took the high road saying she prefers to focus on the positives.
“First of all, all I can say is it's been a wonderful, wonderful career for me full of positives,” Williams said. “That's what I focus on. I mean, what else can I do? It's a beautiful life. That's how I feel about every single thing. It's just that simple, honestly.”
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