NEW YORK (AP) β HBO has won a libel case that was prompted by a report showing children stitching a British company’s soccer balls.
The jury in Manhattan federal court ruled Friday that Mitre Sports International was not defamed by a 2008 installment of HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” that showed children stitching Mitre soccer balls in Jalandhar, India.
Mitre’s attorney said during the trial that the company was a pioneer in stopping child labor in the sporting goods industry.
Gumbel testified that the report was the kind of hard-hitting journalism he had in mind when he created a monthly sports magazine.
Mitre said in a statement it was disappointed with Friday’s verdict.
An HBO spokesman said the network was delighted with the jury’s decision.
