The Erin Andrews lawsuit ended in March 2016 with a Nashville jury awarding the sportscaster $55 million against the stalker who secretly recorded her through an altered hotel peephole and against the companies that owned and operated the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University where the recording took place. The parties reached a confidential settlement weeks later, ending the hotel defendants’ appeal.1Philippine Daily Inquirer. Sportscaster Erin Andrews Settles Court Case, Ends Appeals
How the Recording Happened
Michael David Barrett, an insurance executive from suburban Chicago, began tracking Andrews in early 2008 after seeing her on television. He later admitted his goal was to “videotape her and try and profit from the videotape.”2New York Post. Stalker Tells All: How I Peeped on Erin Andrews Over roughly 18 months he followed her to hotels in at least three states.3FBI. Press Release: Stalker of ESPN Reporter Sentenced
The Nashville episode in September 2008 became the basis of the civil case. Barrett called the hotel operator from a house phone in the hotel restaurant and asked to be connected to Andrews; the phone’s display showed her room number. He then noticed a housekeeper cleaning the room next to hers and returned to the front desk to ask specifically for that adjacent room. The hotel gave it to him.2New York Post. Stalker Tells All: How I Peeped on Erin Andrews
Once inside, Barrett used a hacksaw to cut the threads off the peephole so it could be removed like a plug. He listened through the wall, waited until Andrews had finished showering, pulled the plug, and recorded her with his cell phone for about four and a half minutes. A peephole on a door assigned to Andrews at a Milwaukee hotel was tampered with the same way, although Barrett did not check in there.4ABC News. Erin Andrews Alleged Peephole Video Stalker
In January 2009, Barrett tried to sell the footage to TMZ, which declined. When he could not find a buyer, he posted the videos online himself in July 2009 and identified Andrews as the subject. The recordings spread across adult websites almost immediately. Andrews obtained the copyright to the video, which gave her legal standing to send cease-and-desist letters, and ESPN pressed platforms to take derivative versions down.5Hofstra Law Review. Erin Andrews Privacy Case Study
The Federal Criminal Case
Barrett was arrested at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport on October 2, 2009, and charged with interstate stalking with intent to harass and cause substantial emotional distress. The case was prosecuted in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles before Judge Manuel L. Real. Barrett pleaded guilty on December 15, 2009.4ABC News. Erin Andrews Alleged Peephole Video Stalker
On March 15, 2010, Judge Real sentenced him to 30 months in federal prison, the statutory maximum for the charge. Barrett was also ordered to pay $7,366 in restitution to Andrews, a $5,000 fine, and to serve three years of supervised probation. Conditions of that probation barred him from contacting Andrews, her family, or her friends, and required him to get a probation officer’s approval before staying in any hotel.3FBI. Press Release: Stalker of ESPN Reporter Sentenced6Christian Science Monitor. Erin Andrews Stalker Gets 2-1/2 Years in Prison
Court filings revealed the conduct extended well beyond Andrews. Prosecutors said Barrett had posted 32 additional videos depicting 16 other unidentified women and had run background checks on some 30 people, including other female sports reporters and television personalities. Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles agreed not to pursue additional charges, though Barrett remained exposed to potential charges in other states.7ABC 30. Erin Andrews Stalker Sentenced
The $55 Million Civil Verdict
Andrews sued for $75 million. Her defendants were Barrett; West End Hotel Partners, the owner and franchisee of the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University; and Windsor Capital Group, the operator. Marriott International was initially named but dismissed after the court found it bore no liability.8HuffPost. Erin Andrews Settles With Hotel
The claims against the hotel companies were negligence, invasion of privacy, and infliction of emotional distress. Andrews’ lawyers argued the hotel confirmed she was a guest and then gave Barrett the adjacent room he specifically requested, without asking any questions. The defense argued Barrett’s scheme was unforeseeable and that he alone should be responsible, comparing its unpredictability to the September 11 attacks.9ABC News. Erin Andrews’ Lawyer Argues Negligence by Hotel
Andrews testified over two days. She described depression, anxiety, and daily panic attacks, and the compounding humiliation of public speculation that she had orchestrated the video as a publicity stunt. Her mother, Paula Andrews, told jurors her daughter was “always afraid someone’s going to touch her” and “very, very frightened of crowds.” After the videos circulated, a photographer climbed the balcony of Andrews’ Atlanta home, and she moved back in with her parents.10ABC News. Erin Andrews Stalker Details How He Secretly Videotaped Her
Closing arguments wrapped on March 4, 2016. Jurors deliberated on March 7 and returned a verdict the same day, awarding Andrews $55 million.11ABC News. Erin Andrews Jury Deliberates in $75 Million Lawsuit The jury assigned 51 percent of the fault to Barrett, making him responsible for roughly $28 million, and 49 percent to West End Hotel Partners and Windsor Capital Group, about $27 million.12Capstone Associated. Risk Mitigation Lessons The award covered noneconomic damages tied to privacy violations and emotional distress; Andrews’ earlier claim for loss of earning capacity had been dropped.13Hunton Andrews Kurth. Erin Andrews Peeping Tom Verdict May Trigger Hotel Insurance Policies
Andrews’ attorney, Randall Kinnard, asked the court to hold the hotel defendants jointly and severally liable for the full $55 million rather than only their apportioned share.14Tennessee Bar Association. Erin Andrews Reaches Settlement Before that motion was decided, and while the hotel companies’ appeal was pending, the parties reached a confidential settlement on April 25, 2016. The terms were never disclosed.1Philippine Daily Inquirer. Sportscaster Erin Andrews Settles Court Case, Ends Appeals
Barrett’s share of the judgment appeared uncollectible. At the time of the verdict he was living in his father’s basement in Portland, Oregon, and his father told reporters Barrett “can’t afford $100.”15ABC 33/40. Man Who Stalked Erin Andrews Living in His Dad’s Basement
What Changed at Hotels
Marriott International revised its check-in policies after the case. A guest who asks to stay in a room adjacent to another guest now needs that guest’s approval first. The company also worked to train housekeeping staff to report anything unusual about a room door or peephole. Hotels more broadly began inspecting peepholes for tampering, which had not been a routine practice.16CoStar. Erin Andrews Case Could Have Greater Impact on Industry
No specific federal or state legislation has been publicly attributed to the case. Andrews and her attorney said in 2009 that they intended to push for stronger voyeurism laws, but legal observers noted the difficulty of writing broad hotel-security statutes given how many variables are involved.16CoStar. Erin Andrews Case Could Have Greater Impact on Industry
Andrews After the Case
Andrews kept working through the litigation and afterward. She serves as a sideline reporter on Fox’s lead NFL broadcast crew alongside Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady. In July 2025, Fox Sports signed Andrews and co-host Charissa Thompson to new contract extensions, with financial terms undisclosed.17Front Office Sports. Fox Extends Erin Andrews, Charissa Thompson Contracts Ahead of NFL Season