NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!LAS VEGAS – EXCLUSIVE: The Mountain West Conference has addressed concerns over an investigation into alleged misconduct by former San Jose State transgender volleyball player Blaire Fleming in an exclusive statement provided to Fox News Digital. The statement also clarified a mistaken response by Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez to a question about the issue at a press conference on Wednesday.Fox News Digital reported in June that the conference hired the law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher (WFG) to investigate allegations against Fleming of conspiring with an opponent to harm teammate Brooke Slusser in November. The same firm defended the Mountain West against a request for a preliminary injunction that would have ruled Fleming ineligible to compete in women’s volleyball in that same month. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMFox News Digital questioned Nevarez at her Mountain West Media Days press conference on the issue, asking “In November, the Mountain West launched an investigation of misconduct into a San Jose State volleyball player. Why did the conference hire the same law firm that was hired to defend the player’s eligibility in court to conduct that investigation, and was there any concern of a conflict of interest?” Nevarez responded, “Well, that is a question concerning active litigation, so I’m not going to comment on ongoing litigation. But the statement that the same law firm represented the school in defending the player is incorrect.” Fox News Digital asked, “Why is it incorrect?” Nevarez responded, “Because, that’s not, that, the lawyer that did our investigation was not representing San Jose State.” Fox News Digital did not insinuate in its question nor has it ever reported that the law firm represented San Jose State.Fox News Digital immediately followed up during the press conference, saying, “It was representing the Mountain West to defend the player’s eligibility in court.” Nevarez did not respond, remaining silent for several seconds. Fox News Digital then asked, “Are you confident in your legal defense?” Nevarez responded, “Um, yes.” Fox News Digital attempted to question Nevarez about her response shortly after her press conference ended as she spoke with other reporters, but she ignored the inquiry and walked away. A Mountain West media relations associate said, “Sir, we have to get to another interview.” The Mountain West later provided its statement that claimed Nevarez “believed” the initial question was asking about the law firm representing SJSU. “Commissioner Nevarez believed you were asking about our law firm, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, representing both the Mountain West and San Jose State. It was clarified that you were asking about a potential conflict of interest with the lawsuit related to a conference policy and the match investigation,” the statement read. LAW FIRM THAT WORKED TO KEEP SJSU TRANS PLAYER ELIGIBLE ALSO CLEAR
The Mountain West Conference responds to the contentious findings regarding the investigation into the misconduct of a transgender athlete from San Jose State University.
