FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2015, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter of an NFL football game, in Tampa, Fla. (AP)
The back and forth between the representatives of Jameis Winston and Erica Kinsman has ramped up on the eve of CNN's airing of the film "The Hunting Ground."
The cable news station is scheduled to show documentary about sexual assault on American college campuses Sunday. The film aired at the Sundance Film Festival and features Kinsman, who accused Winston of sexual assault while the two were students at Florida State.
The Hollywood Reporter said Friday that a Winston lawyer sent CNN a letter cautioning the station about airing the documentary because it is defamatory toward Winston and threatened to sue.
Kinsman's laywer, John Clune, released a statement to the Associated Press on Saturday.
"Mr. Winston is apparently in the midst of another PR battle this week due to the release of 'The Hunting Ground' on Sunday," Clune said. "When your lawyers' letters written on Friday are somehow getting printed in the media on Saturday, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what's going on. His latest attack is an attempt to revive his lawyers' media themes and, as expected, shows no understanding of rape trauma and misrepresents the actual evidence. More importantly, Mr. Winston should get used to the rape allegations against him because film or no film, they aren't going away."
Both Kinsman and Winston have filed lawsuits against the other. Winston was never charged by police and was cleared by Florida State after a student code of conduct hearing. He is currently starting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being selected No. 1 overall this year iun the NFL draft.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.