Chicago Sky boss not about to leave without 'defending his name'
Mum continues to be the word for the Chicago Sky.
But not Bo Overton. Not anymore, anyway.
On Wednesday, the Sky announced in a statement that Overton, their head coach and general manager, had resigned. No reason was given for his departure and, when pressed, team officials declined to elaborate or provide any explanation.
They were saying even less when reports surfaced Thursday morning that an unidentified person, writing on a team message board, had accused Overton of sexually harassing a player.
That allegation was made Monday, two days before Overton's resignation was announced.
Overton didn't return a message Wednesday when news of his resignation broke, but his lawyer, David Little, contacted the Daily Herald on Thursday to relay that Overton "categorically denies these rumors going around on this (Sky message board). He is adamant that no harassment, nothing whatsoever, has transpired. He's prepared to defend his name."
Little said that legal action against the team and others involved in what he called Overton's "de facto firing" is a possibility.
According to Little, Overton was asked to meet with Sky owner Michael Alter and team president Margaret Stender recently after the team conducted an internal investigation regarding accusations of misconduct against him.
While Little said those findings indicated no misconduct, the NBA/WNBA encouraged the Sky to hire an independent investigator, who was scheduled to meet with Overton on Saturday.
That opportunity never came. Instead, Alter and Stender told Overton at their meeting that he would be fired unless he resigned.
"The Sky never told Bo why he was being fired other than 'the marketing brand of the Chicago Sky is being damaged and it's taking a hit from the message boards,' " said Little, who is based in Oklahoma City and has counseled Overton not to comment at this time.
"We understand that, but the Sky certainly had other options. (The Sky didn't give) Bo an opportunity to ponder this, to contact his lawyer. Instead, it's sign this now, before you leave the room or you're fired."
Little said Overton's reputation has suffered and that he is shocked as to why he no longer has a job.
"This all stems from this blog from this person who calls herself 'Cinderella,' " Little said, referring to the Sky fan's screen name. "I don't know who the (heck) she is. I'm sure I'll find out."
The initial posting that alleged the sexual harassment involving Overton set off a wave of comments on the board that included a response posted Monday from someone claiming to be the parent of a Sky player.
That poster wrote that the allegation against Overton is "true." Other anonymous writers posted messages denouncing the credibility of those postings.
"Bo has read the blogs, and he says it's a crock," Little said. "You can claim to be whoever you want on these anonymous blogs."
Later Monday, Sky president Margaret Stender posted a statement of her own to respond to "some of the serious and alarming comments that appeared on the message board."
Stender wrote that the Sky "takes any allegations of sexual harassment extremely seriously." She also urged anyone with evidence of sexual harassment to share it with her as soon as possible via e-mail or phone call.
Stender said Thursday she couldn't comment as to whether that request generated any responses. Team officials have declined to comment further on the matter.