Dawn Staley sues Missouri AD for slander; SEC fines him

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley is suing Missouri's athletic director, saying he slandered her when he suggested she created an atmosphere that encouraged fans to spit on his players and use racial slurs.

Staley's suit filed in Richland County asks for no more than $75,000 in damages from Sterk for disparaging her reputation.

Also on Thursday, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey fined Jim Sterk $25,000 and reprimanded him for publicly criticizing Staley.

Sterk broke a conference rule banning public criticism of other member institutions, their staff or players, Sankey said in a statement that also said SEC officials would review how South Carolina handles its crowd during games.