Legal expert: NFL Network 'may have some liability' in Michael Irvin case

It appears NFL Network could find itself in hot water regarding its treatment of Hall of Famer Michael Irvin ahead of Super Bowl LVII. 

"Somebody overreacted," former practicing attorney and current Pro Football Talk NFL insider Mike Florio said during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan's 'Shan and RJ' program, per the Barrett Sports Media website. "Somebody instigated, with NFL Network, a complaint that got Michael Irvin pulled from the Super Bowl week coverage. And the one fact that I think is very important here: Marriott is a longtime sponsor of the NFL."

As Florio previously explained, NFL Network and ESPN removed Irvin from their Super Bowl LVII coverage following an alleged interaction with a woman inside a hotel lobby. Irvin has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and did so again during a Wednesday news conference. 

"My guess is that the NFL was willing to jump when they got a complaint from 'Proud Sponsor of the NFL,' and this is what you learn in the discovery process: How high up the chain at Marriott did this go? How high were the alarms sounded? How high up NFL Network’s ladder did it go? NFL Network may have some liability here if Michael Irvin chooses to pursue it," Florio continued.

According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), at least two witnesses have come forward and said Irvin had a friendly encounter with the unnamed woman who later accused him of misconduct. Irvin has since filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against Marriott International Inc. and a "Jane Doe" who is said to have been a hotel employee at least as of the alleged incident. Marriott has not yet released video footage that could potentially exonerate Irvin. 

Irvin visibly became emotional during Wednesday's conference: