An Illinois Circuit Court judge has dismissed all of former White Sox athletic trainer Brian Ball’s remaining claims against the team related to his termination in 2020, the White Sox announced in a statement Thursday.

According to the team, Ball voluntarily dismissed all his claims against general manager Rick Hahn, as well as two of his original five claims against the White Sox in February in response to the club’s motion to dismiss. On Wednesday, the court dismissed the remaining three claims, “thereby closing the matter, barring an appeal of the court’s ruling.”

Advertisement

Legal representation for Ball told The Athletic that the case was dismissed for “procedural reasons,” rather than a lack of evidence. Ball’s attorney said they are still considering further options in response to this week’s ruling, including a possible appeal.

The White Sox indicated their initial statement responded to all claims of Ball’s original complaint.

Ball filed the lawsuit, which was obtained by The Athletic, last May claiming the club discriminated against him due to his sexual orientation, age and disability.

Ball worked for the White Sox for 20 years, serving as an assistant athletic trainer during the majority of his tenure with the team. He was promoted to head athletic trainer in December 2018 after the retirement of Herm Schneider, the team’s longtime head trainer.

According to the lawsuit, it became known to multiple members of the White Sox’s management, medical staff and coaches in February 2018 that Ball is gay. After signing a two-year employment contract in October 2019, the team altered Ball’s role in February 2020 and said he would work as an administrator and director for the care of players.

In July 2020, according to the suit, Ball was attacked by two men while getting into his car at his Chicago apartment, and they stole his car. Following the attack, Hahn and assistant GM Jeremy Haber told Ball that he would be placed on medical leave and his job would be there when he was ready to return. When Ball attempted to come back to work the next month, the team did not allow him to return, the lawsuit says.

Hahn told Ball in October 2020 that he was being terminated as the head athletic trainer of the White Sox. Two months later, the suit claims, an unnamed member of White Sox management told Ball that the club terminated his contract because of his sexual orientation.

Advertisement

The White Sox denied the allegations in a statement at the time, saying his termination from the team was based on his performance.

“It is extremely disappointing that a former colleague, who was supported, developed and promoted over two decades, chose to attack the club in this way,” the team said. “It is also surprising to many who know Brian, and supported him throughout his career, to read the allegations included in his lawsuit.”

Ball was seeking punitive and monetary damages.

(Photo: Jamie Sabau / Getty Images)