Tampa Bay Buccaneers star and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston is prepared to sue CNN over its documentary The Hunting Ground, which airs tomorrow night. The Hollywood Reporter got a hold of a letter Winston’s lawyers sent to CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker Friday.
“We are writing to formally caution CNN that the portions of the film ‘The Hunting Ground’ pertaining to Mr. Winston are false and defamatory. We urge CNN to reconsider the reckless decision to proceed with the broadcast of this deeply-flawed documentary in the face of the overwhelming evidence the film’s producers consciously and intentionally failed to adhere to any accepted journalistic standards.”
Erica Kinsman accused Winston of rape when the two were students at Florida State. She sued for sexual batter and he filed counterclaims. The University has already asked not to air the film.
The Hunting Ground, which takes a broader look at sexual assault on college campuses, made its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January and was given a limited release in theaters in February.