dookie blaylock
doodoo brown
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2012
- Messages
- 3,818
I agree with you, he was paid severance. But McMurphy is originally from Florida, which has a very dim view of non-competes (actually, most states do now). Florida likes to brag that it is a "right to work" state, and frequently limits or bars non-competes.
The only time Florida courts really uphold non-competes (on challenge) is if (a) there is a showing of some sort of monetary investment (i.e., when a local TV news stations buys a bunch of billboards to advertise its evening news anchor or weatherperson), or (b) when there is also an employment contract (i.e., unsually for business executives at a higher level).
I would be willing to bet that McMurphy is simply following the terms of his severance package, without having actually gone out and consulted with an attorney. His job is/was not so much like that of a local newspaper sports reporter, or an on-air personality. McMurphy largely wrote for the ESPN website and worked on his own, not at a desk in Bristol, CT 9-to-5.
He probably just didn't want to burn any bridges, which isn't a bad idea right now, as the media jobs collapse.
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he's been throwing shade at espn so i don't think he cares about burning bridges. mcmurphy is a smart guy so i doubt that he didn't take challenging it into consideration either, but i don't think it's in anyone's best interest to try to out-lawyer disney unless they have a smoking gun, a body, 3 forms of identification, and a notarized letter from mickey mouse supporting their side.
edit: just saw your point about a contract. he was on a long-term contract with espn, which is why it caught him off guard when they laid him off.
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