New York Jets All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner is facing a defamation lawsuit after a woman said Gardner falsely claimed on social media that she had an OnlyFans page.
OnlyFans is a subscription website known mostly for its users posting adult content.
According to the lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY Sports, which was filed last month in Morris County, New Jersey, Superior Court, in August 2024, Gardner posted on X an empty room with boxes, a ladder, and construction equipment, captioning it: ‘Do I even have to say what I’m getting built at my new house?’
Kalli Mariakis, who says she is a fan of the Buffalo Bills, the Jets’ division rivals, responded on X by saying, ‘A simulator to teach you how not to commit pass interference or defensive holding.’
The next day, Gardner replied, ‘I’m sure your husband wouldn’t like it if I told him you’d (direct messaged) me your OF link, would he?’
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Mariakis then asked Gardner for proof of her being on OnlyFans, saying, ‘Why don’t you send the link then? He’s waiting! I would love to know what it is myself! Nice comeback @iamSauceGardner but what a shame it’s a big fat lie!
The exchange got more coverage when Barstool Sports published an article called, ‘If you’re a Married OnlyFans Model Who’s Been DMing Sauce Gardner, You’d Be Wise Not to Troll Him about His Coverage Skill.’
Barstool Sports is also named as a defendant in the 15-page lawsuit.
‘The Article was not only false and misleading, it was intentionally based upon a falsehood, whose truth would have defeated its central message: ‘don’t mess with Sauce Gardner on or off the field,” the lawsuit stated.
Mariakis, 42, says in the lawsuit that Gardner’s tweet was a ‘knowingly false and malicious statement’ and that her husband and daughter have been ‘subjected to harassment and disparagement.’
Mariakis is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
