A middle-aged Massachusetts woman sued the National Football League on Tuesday, alleging she was sexually harassed while taking part in a television advertising competition. Margaret Watters, 55, said she was groped and fondled by a technician while being fitted with a microphone just before pitching her concept in the "Pitch your idea for the best NFL Super Bowl Commercial Ever. Seriously" contest.
She is seeking unspecified damages and court costs, said her lawyer, Salvatore DeSantis, who filed the complaint in New York State Supreme Court.
A total of 1,700 American football fans took part in the competition. Contestants gathered at three stadiums across the country last fall and presented their concept on videotape for an ad to be aired during the Super Bowl in February.
The winning ad, proposed by a New Hampshire man, explored the sense of loss that fans experience at the end of a season.
A spokesman for the NFL, Brian McCarthy, said the organization had not had an opportunity to review Watters' lawsuit and could not comment.
Woman sues NFL for harassment during competition | Breaking news | Guardian Unlimited Sport