Former players file federal lawsuits
Six former members of the University of Pittsburgh women’s basketball team have filed lawsuits against the school and head coach Tory Verdi. They claim the coach created a toxic and emotionally damaging team culture.
The complaints were submitted Friday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The players accuse Verdi of fostering a hostile atmosphere and retaliating against them after they raised concerns with compliance officials and other staff members.
They also argue that the university failed to act, despite being aware of the alleged misconduct.
Allegations of emotional abuse and retaliation
Verdi has led the Pittsburgh Panthers women’s basketball program since 2023. He did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In contrast, a university spokesperson said the allegations lack merit and will be strongly contested.
The plaintiffs, Favor Ayodele, Makayla Elmore, Jasmine Timmerson, Brooklynn Miles, Raeven Boswell and Isabella Perkins, played for the team between 2023 and 2025. Some were on the roster for one season, while others stayed for two.
According to the lawsuits, the women believe the university violated Title IX by ignoring what they describe as a pattern of emotional abuse, manipulation and retaliation. They claim administrators were alerted through complaints from players, parents and other staff but did not take meaningful action.
Several of the players point to an alleged incident after a practice during the 2023 to 2024 season. In that moment, Verdi allegedly told the team that they made him want to kill himself.
The lawsuits also accuse Verdi of creating racial tension between Black and white players. In addition, he is accused of making inappropriate gender based remarks, including telling certain players they were not liked as athletes but would be suitable to date his son.
One international player alleges that Verdi told her to go back home because immigration authorities were coming.
Claims of personal and academic harm
Beyond verbal remarks, the lawsuits describe behavior that allegedly crossed the line from coaching criticism to personal attacks. Verdi is accused of mocking players’ appearances and personalities and calling them bad people.
One plaintiff claims that while she was injured, the coach refused to speak to her for six months and dismissed her mental health concerns.
The players say that after they reported issues, Verdi reduced their playing time and eventually removed them from the team. As a result, they claim they experienced mental health struggles, academic disruption and loss of athletic eligibility.
Their attorney, Keenan Holmes, said the legal process will allow the facts to come out in full. The plaintiffs are seeking acknowledgment that the university violated Title IX, financial compensation and, in some cases, removal of disciplinary notes from their academic records.
The case now moves forward in federal court.
