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OSU Booster Sues Sports Illustrated

Erik Drost
/
Flickr.com

A representative of the Oklahoma Fellowship of Christian Athletes has filed a lawsuit against Sports Illustrated, saying he didn't pay benefits to players on the Oklahoma State football team as the magazine alleged he did.

The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Payne County District Court by plaintiff John Talley. In it, Talley says he was wrongly portrayed as an overzealous booster who improperly paid football players.

The magazine's five-part series published last year included interviews with more than 60 former players who played for OSU from 2001-10.

Allegations suggested that boosters and assistant coaches provided sham jobs for which players were paid, and some members of a hostess program used by the football coaching staff had sex with recruits.

Sports Illustrated did not immediately return a message seeking comment Friday.

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