Filmmaker Sean Pamphilon maintains that public had right to hear audio tape, as Steve Gleason claims violation of agreement
The recently released audio recording in which former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator and the mind behind the bounty scandal Gregg Williams is heard urging his players to injure San Francisco 49ers players before their divisional round game has
created new controversy.
Filmmaker and blogger Sean Pamphilon who uploaded the approximately 12 minute audio file has been accused by former Saints special team player Steve Gleason of violating their contract agreement which allowed Pamphilon to shoot a documentary for the player
who is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Gleason maintains that according to the agreement signed between him and Pamphilon all rights for footage and audio will belong to him and his family and nothing could be released without his “expressed approval”.
The former player expressed disappointment in Pamphilon for violating the terms.
"The Saints have been incredibly open and supportive of me and my family during my disease progression,"
Adding further he said.
"I included Sean Pamphilon in some of these activities. The Saints trusted me and gave us unlimited access in filming, and I, in turn, trusted Sean Pamphilon."
He continued in his statement by saying.
"I did not authorize the public release of any recordings,"
Pamphilon though disagrees with that notion and said that he released the tapes with the best interests at heart while also saying that both he and Gleason had worked out the details with an arbitrator who gave the go-ahead for releasing the audio.
In a statement to Yahoo! Sports, the filmmaker said.
"It is true that from the beginning Steve and his wife (Michel) were opposed to releasing this footage and I felt strongly that the public had a right to hear this material and judge for themselves.”
He went on to add in his statement that both he and Gleason asked a third party to mediate between us and he told Pamphilon to release the audio soon.
The filmmaker also said in the statement that even though his relationships may be marred by the release of the tape but he still feels strongly that the public had every right to hear it.
Williams in the audio tape could be seen extorting the Saints defence to injure and take out most of the 49ers offensive line including quarterback, Alex Smith and tight end, Vernon Davis.
The defensive coordinator has been suspended indefinitely from coaching in the National Football League (NFL) and Williams has not appealed the decision.
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