Former White Sox Trainer Claims to Have Been Fired Due to His Sexual Orientation

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Brian Ball, a former trainer for the Chicago White Sox who worked for the team for 20 years, filed a lawsuit against the team and its general manager Rick Hahn, alleging his October 2020 termination was because of his age, disability and sexual orientation.

His lawsuit also contains allegations of defamation that caused emotional distress.

Case background

Ball, who is now 50, had worked for the team since the early 2000s, including its 2005 World Series championship run. He received a promotion to head trainer in 2018. At that time, the Sox did know about Ball’s sexual orientation.

The White Sox have denied Ball’s claims.

Ball says the White Sox learned about Ball’s sexuality in February 2018. He says he was a victim of a carjacking in July 2020, and after meeting with police he went to be checked out by a physician with the team. Ball was then told by Hahn that he was put on medical leave, and one condition of his return to work would be appointments with a psychologist.

Ball’s personal psychologist cleared him to return to work by the end of August, but the Sox allegedly denied that clearance. The lawsuit also claims Hahn told other training staff members in September that Ball was addicted to substances or gambling and that this “addiction” was related to the carjacking, claims Ball says are not true.

Ball claims Hahn gave him no reason for his termination. and that his replacement is someone who is significantly younger, less qualified, non-disabled and heterosexual.

For more information about the steps to take if you believe you’ve been a victim of wrongful termination, contact an experienced whistleblower lawyer at Kardell Law Group.

By Steve Kardell | Published July 26, 2022 | Posted in Employee Rights, Wrongful Termination | Tagged disability discrimination, Discrimination Claim, sexual orientation discrimination

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