Richmond Judge Refuses to Toss Flying Squirrels Owner’s Defamation Suit

By Billy Briefman · October 15, 2026 · 2 min read read

Judge Rules Flying Squirrels Owner’s Defamation Lawsuit May Proceed Originally reported by Richmond BizSense. Richmond BizSense A judge ruled Oct. 15 that a defamation lawsuit filed by the owner...

Judge Rules Flying Squirrels Owner’s Defamation Lawsuit May Proceed

Originally reported by Richmond BizSense. Richmond BizSense

A judge ruled Oct. 15 that a defamation lawsuit filed by the owner of the Richmond Flying Squirrels may move forward despite defense attempts to dismiss the case.

The legal action involves the ownership of Richmond’s Double-A baseball franchise and centers on allegations of defamatory statements. While the court allowed the proceedings to continue for the time being, the ruling suggests the case faces further judicial scrutiny as it develops.

Court Declines Dismissal

The decision ensures the litigation remains active in the court system. According to reporting from Richmond BizSense, the judge’s ruling specifically allows the Flying Squirrels’ ownership to pursue their claims at this stage of the legal process. The defense previously sought to have the case tossed out before reaching a trial or further discovery.

The lawsuit highlights ongoing tensions regarding the leadership and public representation of the team, which plays home games at The Diamond in RVA. The court did not rule on the merits of the defamation claims themselves but determined that the legal threshold to keep the case alive had been met.

Next Steps in Litigation

The phrase "for now" in the court’s assessment indicates the lawsuit could still face challenges as more evidence enters the record. Legal representatives for the parties involved will now move into the next phase of the proceedings, which typically includes the exchange of documents and depositions.

The Richmond Flying Squirrels remain a central fixture of the local sports landscape, and the outcome of this lawsuit could impact the administrative and public-facing operations of the organization.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Richmond BizSense. Channel RVA provides this coverage with additional local context for the Richmond community.