MEMPHIS, TN - A disturbing new chapter opened today in the increasingly national Varsity Spirit Abuse Scandal as attorneys representing abuse survivors filed a federal lawsuit in Memphis, TN bringing forward multiple survivors and naming new abusers including Tennessee-based Premier Athletics as well as athlete and coach Dominick Frizzell.
Attorneys for the survivors include renowned civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers, Jessica Fickling, and Alexandra Benevento (Strom Law Firm) as well as Tennessee State Rep. John Ray Clemmons and J. Michael Clemons.
“This lawsuit makes it clear that we’re not talking about some isolated incident in South Carolina,” said Sellers. “This is a nationwide epidemic of abuse that infects all of competitive cheerleading enabled and concealed by Varsity Spirit, the U.S. All Star Federation (USASF) and Bain Capital.”
In fact, while much of the abuse outlined in this latest lawsuit was taking place, Varsity Spirit, based in Memphis, was completing work on a new 65,000-square-foot headquarters in downtown Memphis and tightened its grip as the national leader in cheer and dance camps, competitions and apparel by acquiring two new uniform providers.
“We’re talking about a financial empire based on physical, emotional and sexual abuse,” said Clemmons. “As these companies are announcing hundreds of millions of dollars in new investments to grow that empire, these young athletes are being abused and, instead of protecting them, Varsity Spirit, USASF and USA Cheer either ignored and dismissed these allegations or quietly allowed the abusers to relocate to a new gym or facility without parents knowing the truth.”
The lawsuit points out that despite allegations being reported against Frizzell, including inappropriate messages and pictures sent to a minor athlete, he continued to be allowed in Premier’s gym as late as September 2022. “That goes beyond irresponsible,” said Fickling. “It’s inexcusable.”
Attorneys say that this lawsuit is only the latest as new victims continue to come forward and the scandal continues to grow.
“This is big and it’s getting bigger,” said Benevento. “Our clients deserve justice and we’re going to make sure they get it.”
Click HERE to view a copy of today’s lawsuit.
