The Los Angeles Angels have reached a confidential settlement with the family of late pitcher Tyler Skaggs, closing a six-year legal battle over his tragic death from a drug overdose in 2019. Skaggs, a 27-year-old MLB pitcher, died from a fentanyl and oxycodone overdose in Texas on July 1, 2019, after allegedly being provided drugs by Eric Kay, a team employee later sentenced to 22 years in federal prison.

The civil lawsuit, filed by the Skaggs family in June 2021, also named former Angels vice president of communications Tim Mead, who the family claimed either knew or should have known about Kay’s alleged distribution of illicit substances to players. The Skaggs family had sought $118 million in potential lost earnings and additional damages, though the specific terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.

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Angels and Family Statements

A spokesperson for the Angels issued a statement:

“The death of Tyler Skaggs remains a tragedy, and this trial sheds light on the dangers of opioid use and the devastating effects it can have. Throughout the course of court proceedings, both parties searched for a path to a mutually agreed-upon resolution, and a confidential settlement has been reached.”

The Skaggs family echoed these sentiments in their statement:

“The settlement brings to a close a difficult six-year process, allowing our families to focus on healing. We are deeply grateful to the members of this jury and to our legal team. Their engagement and focus gave us faith, and now we have finality. While nothing can bring Tyler back, we will continue to honor his memory.”

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Background on Tyler Skaggs’ Death

At the time of his death, the Angels were scheduled to play the Texas Rangers in Arlington. The game was postponed following the shocking news. Skaggs’ passing sent shockwaves through the MLB community, and on the one-year anniversary, his mother, Debbie Hetman, and widow, Carli Skaggs, spoke publicly about their grief. Hetman described the ongoing heartbreak of losing her son, noting the lasting impact on their lives.

Skaggs’ death highlighted concerns around opioid use and player safety in professional sports, drawing attention to the role team employees may play in ensuring athlete well-being.

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Legal Consequences

Eric Kay, the Angels’ communications director at the time, was convicted for his role in supplying the substances that led to Skaggs’ death and sentenced to 22 years in prison in October 2022. Tim Mead, who had left the Angels prior to Skaggs’ passing to become president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, later resigned from that position in April 2021 amid scrutiny.

The settlement marks a significant resolution in a case that exposed the dangers of opioid misuse within professional sports organizations and the responsibility teams have in safeguarding their athletes.