CHICAGO — White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has agreed to sit for a sworn deposition as part of an ongoing civil lawsuit stemming from last summer’s shooting inside Guaranteed Rate Field that injured two women during a game.
The rare legal development was confirmed this week in Cook County court, where a judge approved a motion ordering Reinsdorf to provide testimony under oath regarding what the team and ballpark knew — and how they responded — following the incident.
Shooting Incident Raised Public Safety Concerns
The lawsuit centers around a high-profile shooting that occurred during a White Sox game on August 25, 2023, when two women were struck by gunfire inside the ballpark. One of the women, Rhogena Nickson, was hospitalized and is now suing the team and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA), which owns the stadium.
Officials initially denied that a shooting had taken place, sparking widespread criticism over public messaging and transparency. The White Sox even allowed the game to continue after the shots were fired — a decision that has come under intense legal and public scrutiny.
Security Footage And Legal Arguments Emerge
As part of discovery in the case, Nickson’s attorneys are seeking information about security protocols, internal communications, and decisions made by stadium leadership in the minutes and hours after the gunfire erupted.
Court filings have revealed that surveillance footage shows at least one injured woman being escorted from the seating area, though no public evacuation occurred. Lawyers argue this reflects “a reckless disregard for public safety,” while the team has denied liability, claiming it had no prior warning of the violence.
A White Sox attorney recently called the lawsuit “meritless” and stated that Reinsdorf’s testimony will help clear the team of wrongdoing. However, the deposition order signals the court’s interest in understanding the chain of decision-making during the incident.
What Reinsdorf Could Be Asked
Reinsdorf, 88, has led the White Sox since 1981 and is also the chairman of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. His deposition is expected to focus on:
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What the team knew about the incident during and after the game
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Why the game continued after reports of gunfire
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Whether stadium staff followed established security procedures
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If there were discussions between the team and city officials
The deposition date has not yet been publicly announced, but sources say it will occur within the next 60 days, under court supervision.
Family, Community Still Seeking Answers
Nickson’s family and supporters have continued to demand accountability for the shooting, which remains unsolved by Chicago police. No weapon was recovered, and no charges have been filed.
“This isn’t just about our family — this is about the safety of everyone who attends games there,” Nickson’s relatives said in a statement. “Someone needs to explain what happened and why the truth was kept quiet.”
The team has maintained that security at Guaranteed Rate Field meets industry standards, and that the situation was handled with “caution and professionalism.”
Do you think stadiums should halt games immediately after violent incidents, even if the full facts aren’t clear yet? Let us know what you believe should’ve happened at Guaranteed Rate Field by sharing your thoughts in the comments at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
