In a shocking development, prominent British sports agent Jonathan Barnett is facing serious allegations in a US lawsuit that detail a pattern of abuse over several years, challenging the integrity of the sports representation industry.
High-Profile Sports Agent Jonathan Barnett Faces Serious Allegations of Abuse
High-Profile Sports Agent Jonathan Barnett Faces Serious Allegations of Abuse
Civil lawsuit accuses Jonathan Barnett of systematic abuse and trafficking over six years, denying all claims.
High-profile British sports agent Jonathan Barnett faces serious allegations from an unnamed woman, referred to as "Jane Doe," who claims in a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles that he raped her over 39 times and kept her as a "sex slave" for six years. The accusations in the suit detail how Barnett allegedly trafficked the woman from Australia to the UK in 2017, subjecting her to threats, torture, and degradation, including being referred to as "slave" in communications. Barnett, recognized for managing star athletes like Gareth Bale and Jack Grealish, has vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that they are entirely false and expressing intent to defend himself vigorously through legal means.
According to the lawsuit, the pair first crossed paths in the 1990s and reconnected online before she relocated to the UK with her children, with Barnett's agency covering the moving costs. Upon her arrival in the UK, the woman alleges he exerted coercive control over her, enforcing strict rules, and subjected her to acts of abusive behavior, including physical restraint and forced acts that humiliated her. The complaint outlines claims of constant threats against her life and the well-being of her children, creating an alarming narrative of fear and manipulation that lasted until 2023.
Furthermore, the lawsuit implicates Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and CAA Stellar for alleged complicity or negligence in addressing substantial payments linked to Barnett's actions, despite the victim not having any formal business relationship with these agencies. CAA has stated they were first made aware of the allegations after settlement discussions and takes these claims seriously, recommending that the woman contact law enforcement.
As this legal battle unfolds, it raises broader questions about the dynamics of power and abuse in the sports industry, calling attention to the need for accountability and structural changes within prominent agencies. The suit aims to seek damages on behalf of "Jane Doe," spotlighting a troubling instance of alleged institutional abuse.
