Former Arkansas basketball coach Eric Musselman accused of "racial tirade" in new lawsuit

Tue, September 15, 2026 at 9:55 AM

FILE PHOTO - Arkansas NCAA college basketball head coach Eric Musselman speaks during Southeastern Conference Media Days, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

LOS ANGELES (KATV) — Former Arkansas men's basketball coach Eric Musselman has been named in a lawsuit claiming that he went on a "racially-charged tirade" against one of his players last season.

The complaint alleges that Musselman, now the coach for the University of Southern California (USC), booted forward Chad Baker-Mazara from the team once it was eliminated from NCAA Tournament contention to avoid paying him the remainder of his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contract.

It also says that Musselman went on a racist rant after the team suffered an 82-67 loss to Nebraska on Feb. 28.

"You shut the f- up! You are one of the worst teammates anyone can have!" the suit claims Musselman shouted at Baker-Mazara while addressing the team after the game.

“Wow Coach, do you need me to leave,” Baker-Mazara allegedly responded, “because I don’t understand this animosity.”

The suit says that Musselman responded by screaming "Yes, leave! Go back to the f-ing Dominican Republic! Nobody wants you here! F- you!"

Baker-Mazara's complaint argues that the words "Go back to the f-ing Dominican Republic!" are understood by people of color in the United States originating from the Dominican Republic to be both racist and discriminatory - similar to telling an African-American person that they should "go back to Africa."

Baker-Mazara was dismissed and barred from accessing team facilities the day after the incident - an act the complaint says was done without any investigation or stated reason.

The suit alleges that Baker-Mazara's termination was done improperly using a "morals clause" to cancel his NIL contract as a pretext to save money.

Baker-Mazara is seeking damages from the incident, arguing that USC's actions hurt his NBA Draft stock and cost him further professional opportunities.

A university spokesperson denied the allegations of racism, saying Baker-Mazara's removal from the roster was done based on other considerations, and that the school intends to fight the lawsuit in court.

Musselman is now entering his third season with USC, having left Arkansas after the 2023-24 season.