Judge Rules In Favor Of Tiger Woods In Ex-Girlfriend NDA Case

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2022 US Open - Day 3
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 31: Erica Herman and Tiger Woods look on prior to the Women's Singles Second Round match between Anett Kontaveit of Estonia and Serena Williams of the United States on Day Three of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Tigers Woods scored a major legal victory.

Tiger Woods has been embroiled in a legal battle for the past few months. Woods' former girlfriend, Erica Herman, had sued the golf star over an NDA she was made to sign when they first became a couple in 2017. The case is messy and complicated but the basic details are this. In October 2022, Herman filed suit against the trust that owns Woods' Florida home. Herman claims that she was "tricked" into going on a short vacation, only to be met by Woods' lawyer at the airport. There, she claims Woods' attorney broke up with her on behalf of Woods. Furthermore, he told her she was evicted from the house. Herman additionally claims she had an oral tenancy agreement to remain in the house for several years.

However, she then filed suit against Woods himself over the NDA she signed in 2017. She claimed that Woods was maliciously using the NDA to silence her. Furthermore, documents filed in court show that Herman's attorney was using a law that nullifies NDAs in the case of sexual assault. Despite this, Herman has made no formal claims of sexual assault against Woods.

Judge Rules That Herman Must Abide By NDA

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 31 : Tiger Woods and his girlfriend Erica Herman in Serena Williams player's box during Day 3 of the US Open 2022, 4th Grand Slam of the season, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2022 in Queens, New York City. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/GC Images)

However, a judge has now ruled against Herman in the legal battle. Issuing an 11-page opinion, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Metzger called Herman's case "vague and threadbare". Furthermore, Metzger directly addressed Herman's claims of sexual assault. "Herman has had the opportunity [to] provide factual specificity for any claim relating to sexual assault or sexual harassment, however, she has not done so."

Herman had been seeking $30 million in damages. This was based on the value of the property she was evicted from. Furthermore, she alleged that Woods, whom she worked for at the start of their relationship, threatened to fire her if she did not sign the NDA. However, Metzger called the allegation "utterly meritless". This was due to Herman's attorney declining to give more information about the alleged incident during court proceedings. The ruling brings an end to a tumultuous period for the veteran golfer. After a number of injury-plagued seasons, he is attempting a comeback.

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About The Author
Ben Mock
Benjamin Mock (they/them) is a sports and culture writer working out of Philadelphia. Previously writing for the likes of Fixture, Dexerto, Fragster, and Jaxon, Ben has dedicated themselves to engaging and accessible articles about sports, esports, and internet culture. With a love for the weirder stories, you never quite know what to expect from their work.
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