Floyd Mayweather JR. has filed a defamation lawsuit seeking at least $100 million in damages against Insider INC. and one of its reporters. The complaint, lodged in the Southern District of New York, alleges the publication and reporter Daniel Geiger defamed the former boxing champion.
The lawsuit focuses on Geiger's reporting regarding real estate transactions publicly discussed by Mayweather JR. This included an agreement to acquire a 62-building Manhattan apartment portfolio. Geiger's report stated there was "no evidence there has been a sale."(Source)
Mayweather JR.'s suit claims Geiger began a campaign of harassment and misleading journalism characterized by bias against Mayweather JR.'s success. It alleges the reporter refused to review documentation proving the deals happened and sought to undermine Mayweather JR.'s business ventures and humiliate him publicly.
The lawsuit alleges the reporter acted with "actual malice," the standard required to prove defamation. Mayweather JR. claims he suffered harm including lost lease opportunities at his buildings, emergency rent-freeze concessions, reputational damage, and emotional distress. He seeks damages, a public retraction, and an order prohibiting further public harassment by the reporter.(Source)
Insider INC. released a statement through a spokesperson regarding the suit.
Separately, the undefeated boxing figure has a history of displaying his finances. In 2013, before his major bouts against Manny Pacquiao and Conor McGregor, he reportedly showed ESPN journalist Tim Keown a bank slip during a visit to a Foot Locker in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that listed a balance over $123 million in a single account.
This event aligned with his "Money" persona, built around public displays of wealth. His career included high-profile fights against Saul 'Canelo' Álvarez, Pacquiao, and McGregor, plus exhibition bouts against figures like Logan Paul, Deji, and Tenshin Nasukawa.
Mayweather JR. has faced other legal actions related to his financial activities. He was involved in lawsuits regarding cryptocurrency promotion, including one linked to the EthereumMax token that also named Kim Kardashian and Paul Pierce. In 2018, he and DJ Khaled agreed to settle charges brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for not disclosing payments received for promoting crypto investments.(Source)
This is not the first time the publication has faced a defamation claim. Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, sued Business Insider in 2022 over reporting containing sexual assault allegations. A Boston federal judge dismissed the suit, and Portnoy later dropped his appeal of that ruling.(Source)
A Business Insider spokesperson said, "we will vigorously defend against this meritless attempt to discredit our reporting and smear our reporter."
