Elisha Cuthbert, the actress best known for her work on the hit drama 24, received an apology this week from a sports network after she and her husband threatened a lawsuit.
The network–Canada-based TSN–apologized formally to Cuthbert and her husband, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf, after they reportedly aired a tweet from a fan accusing Cuthbert of having an affair with one of Phaneuf’s team members. The fan, Anthony Adragna, later took to the social media site to express dismay over the lawsuit threat, which named him and the network.
“In spite of TSN’s protocols to prevent unfounded and inappropriate tweets from making it to air, a false, and inappropriate tweet was allowed to run. There was no basis for the false allegation made in this tweet. TSN unreservedly apologizes to Joffrey Lupul, Dion Phaneuf and Elisha Cuthbert and regrets any embarrassment this unfortunate incident has caused to them,” said TSN host James Duthie.
The tweet–which has since been deleted–was one of several that scrolled at the bottom of the screen during TSN’s programming. The network issued a statement shortly afterward, apologizing for allowing it to air.
“We’ve reached out to the Toronto Maple Leafs organization and all those impacted to extend our sincerest apologies for our error,” they said.
This isn’t the first time the blonde bombshell has had her reputation maligned; in 2009, NHL star Sean Avery was suspended for making comments about her to the media during practice.
“I’m really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada. I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my (former girlfriends). I don’t know what that’s about, but enjoy the game tonight,” Avery said.
Elisha Cuthbert hasn’t spoken about the incident publicly; instead, she is focusing on her new project, a sitcom produced by Ellen DeGeneres called One Big Happy.