Photographer Allyson Schwab Wins Dismissal of YouTuber Nima Gharavi's Defamation Suit Over Youth Wrestling Videos
A defamation lawsuit filed by videographer Nima Gharavi against sports photographer Allyson Schwab was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Leonard Strand. Gharavi, who is also an NCAA wrestling official and runs the YouTube channel Midwest Wrestle, took legal action over Schwab's posts on X from December 2023 and January 2024, which alerted parents about "suggestive" youth wrestling content. Although Gharavi was not explicitly named, the lawsuit argued that the information made his channel recognizable. He claimed that Schwab's posts resulted in contract losses, threats, and an attempted break-in at his residence. Additionally, Gharavi alleged that he was removed from the Midlands Championships by Northwestern University Head Wrestling Coach Matt Storniolo, whom Schwab commended for the action. Judge Strand determined that Schwab's posts did not sufficiently identify Gharavi or harm his reputation.
Key facts
- U.S. District Judge Leonard Strand dismissed Nima Gharavi's defamation lawsuit against Allyson Schwab.
- Gharavi is a National Collegiate Athletic Association wrestling official and runs the YouTube channel Midwest Wrestle, which has over 175,000 subscribers.
- Schwab is a Cedar Falls, Iowa-based sports photographer and videographer with a substantial social media following for youth wrestling images.
- Schwab's posts on X in December 2023 and January 2024 warned parents about "suggestive" youth wrestling videos with high view counts.
- Gharavi claimed Schwab's posts led to canceled contracts, threats, an attempted home break-in, and his ejection from the Midlands Championships by Northwestern University Head Wrestling Coach Matt Storniolo.
- Gharavi sued for defamation, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and tortious interference with business relationships.
- Judge Strand ruled that Schwab's posts did not clearly identify Gharavi, did not accuse him of producing or distributing child pornography, and did not clearly damage his professional reputation.
- Judge Strand stated that expressions of opinion on matters of public concern receive full constitutional protection and cannot sustain a defamation claim.
Entities
Artists
- Allyson Schwab
- Nima Gharavi
- Leonard Strand
- Matt Storniolo
Institutions
- National Collegiate Athletic Association
- Midwest Wrestle
- YouTube
- X
- Iowa Capital Dispatch
- Des Moines Register
- Northwestern University
- Midlands Championships
- PetaPixel
Locations
- Cedar Falls
- Iowa
- United States