Radio host Doug Gottlieb admits he made false claim on Freddie Freeman contract talks with Atlanta Braves

NEW YORK — A radio host admitted he falsely claimed agent Casey Close never informed first baseman Freddie Freeman of the Atlanta Braves' last contract offer.

Doug Gottlieb tweeted on June 29 that «Casey Close never told Freddie Freeman about the Braves final offer,» Close and Excel Sports Management sued Gottlieb in mid-July in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, alleging defamation by libel.

Gottlieb tweeted an apology Wednesday.

«Upon further vetting of my sources, a review of the lawsuit filed against me in this matter and a direct conversation with Casey himself, I have learned that the conduct I alleged did not occur and that there is no credible basis for stating that it did,» Gottlieb wrote. «My ultimate investigation into this matter confirms that Casey Close did, in fact, communicate all offers to Freddie Freeman and the sources I relied on were incorrect, in no uncertain terms.»

«I appreciate the damage that misinformation like this can cause,» Gottlieb added, «and have been in touch with Casey Close to apologize directly. I have also deleted my original tweet.»

Close, 58, is a principal of Excel and one of three managing partners. He has represented several hundred baseball players, including Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.

Gottlieb also tweeted on June 29 that Freeman had fired Close. However, Excel remains Freeman's listed agency, according to the players' association.

«From the onset, we were clear that Mr. Gottlieb's tweet was wholly inaccurate and that we would seek legal remedies to set the record straight,» Close said in a statement. «He has retracted his statement in its entirety and acknowledged that he got the story wrong. We consider this matter closed.»

The suit remained pending as of midday Wednesday.

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