• Associated Press via Miami Herald, Wednesday, November 1, 2006 11:16 AM

Former ESPN baseball analyst Harold Reynolds has sued the network for at least $5 million, claiming he was wrongly fired after an intern complained about what he calls a "brief and innocuous" hug. Reynolds had been with ESPN from 1996 until he was canned in late July. According to his lawsuit, ESPN terminated his new six-year, $6 million contract without specific reasons.

"I have tried everything possible to handle this situation quietly behind the scenes," Reynolds says. "After numerous conversations and multiple mediation discussions with ESPN executives, it is clear that ESPN had no intention of solving this problem amicably." Reynolds wants the cash owed to him under the remainder of his contract, including interest and lost earnings. He also is seeking damages for lost future opportunities. But an ESPN spokesman says that Reynolds' allegations are without merit, and the network stands by its decision to terminate his contract.

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