Sexual Harassment Charges on Yanni Hufnagel? (2024)

Yanni Hufnagel, born on August 26, 1982, claims to be an American entrepreneur and a former college basketball coach. He is the founder and CEO of The Lemon Perfect Company, based in Atlanta, known for producing the enhanced water brand Lemon Perfect. Yanni initially served as an assistant coach for the Nevada Wolf Pack men’s basketball team under Eric Musselman before venturing into Lemon Perfect.

Previously, he held coaching roles with the Harvard Crimson, Vanderbilt Commodores, and California Golden Bears, earning recognition as a top recruiter in college basketball.

While Yanni Hufnagel faced allegations of sexual harassment leading to his dismissal from a coaching position, he has since sought to reshape his public image and gained prominence through his brand, Lemon Perfect.

The brand received a significant boost when Beyoncé featured a picture on Instagram showcasing a bottle of Lemon Perfect in her limo.

Beyoncé Boosts Lemon Perfect with $31 Million in Series A Funding

Lemon Perfect, the zero-sugar, cold-pressed lemon water brand, has hit a financial milestone, securing $31 million in Series A funding, thanks to the support of music sensation Beyoncé.

The current valuation of the brand now stands at an impressive $100 million, with Beyoncé’s backing playing a pivotal role in achieving this goal. Known for her investment focus on socially conscious endeavors, Beyoncé found synergy with Lemon Perfect’s mission.

In a statement, Beyoncé shared, “I don’t typically enjoy drinks without added sugar, but Lemon Perfect is delicious. It was an easy decision to invest in something that not only tastes great and is healthy, but also, and most importantly, allows choosing a healthier lifestyle to be affordable and accessible to everyone.”

Yanni Hufnagel, CEO, and founder of Lemon Perfect expressed gratitude, stating, “We are honored and humbled that Beyoncé has become a part of the Lemon Perfect family. She is a worldwide icon whose talent, character, and positivity are unsurpassed.” The Series A funding, backed by Beyoncé, has propelled Lemon Perfect to an impressive valuation of $100 million.

Yanni Hufnagel Fired for Harassment of Female Reporter Regarding Inappropriate Proposition

Yanni Hufnagel was fired from his position as an assistant basketball coach at Cal following an internal university investigation that revealed inappropriate behavior towards a female reporter covering the team. The investigation found that Hufnagel had repeatedly pursued the reporter, attempting to manipulate her into meeting him at his apartment and suggesting she would gain better access if she participated in a three-way encounter with him and a friend.

His dismissal stemmed from a violation of the university’s sexual harassment policy, and he is barred from accompanying the team on any upcoming NCAA Tournament trips, despite the Golden Bears securing the No. 4 seed in the South Region.

The female reporter reported a pattern of inappropriate communications and behaviors by Hufnagel between November 2014 and May 2015. Cal’s Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination conducted an investigation in response to her complaint. According to reports, the reporter alleges that Hufnagel’s hostile behavior as a source led to her losing her job, including instances where he provided false information as retaliation for rejecting his advances.

Two notable incidents from the investigation include an attempt by Hufnagel to “trick” the woman into going upstairs after a business meeting in January 2015 and explicit text messages in March 2015 where he offered team information while continually insinuating that she should engage in a sexual encounter with him and his friend.

The facts surrounding Yanni Hufnagel’s case are generally accepted. Hufnagel’s primary defense revolves around the assertion that since he and the reporter were not coworkers, and she did not explicitly convey that his advances were unwelcome, he did not consider his behavior as harassment. However, he acknowledges having a desire for a romantic relationship with the woman.

In response to the allegations, Hufnagel tweeted, “Right now, our basketball team should be the only thing on your mind! My opportunity to refute a reporter’s pointless assertion will come.” Amidst personal reflections, he also shared a tweet on March 15, 2016, expressing emotional turmoil and seeking prayers for those facing health challenges.

Yanni Hufnagel, in his second season as an assistant coach, had previously worked at Harvard for four years, contributing to player development, including Jeremy Lin. Despite the controversy, Cal head coach Cuonzo Martin acknowledged the challenge of addressing allegations against a staff member but expressed commitment to progress.

Hufnagel, at 33, is notably the fourth Berkeley campus worker accused of and proven guilty of sexual harassment in the past year, highlighting a broader issue. It’s worth noting that the University of California is currently led by former US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.

Steve Kerr, Head Coach of the Warriors, Supports Cal’s Cuonzo Martin

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed support for California head coach Cuonzo Martin during a challenging period for the Golden Bears team. Kerr, appreciative of his son Nick’s positive experience as a walk-on reserve guard under Martin during the past season, took to Twitter to convey his gratitude.

“Huge thank you to @CuonzoMartin and @CalMensBBall for looking after my son @NickZKerr this season,” Kerr tweeted on Wednesday. He described it as a wonderful experience with wonderful people.

Despite the university’s announcement of an investigation into whether Martin handled allegations of sexual harassment against Yanni Hufnagel appropriately, Kerr voiced his respect for Martin as a coach and a positive influence on his son. While Kerr preferred not to delve into the specifics of Cal’s circumstances, he acknowledged Martin’s character and expressed gratitude for the coach’s impact on his son’s learning experience.

Kerr stated, “I just wanted to express my gratitude for what a fantastic coach and mentor he has been to my son. I am aware that the current problem is causing some confusion within the program. I just wanted to support Cuonzo because I know what sort of person he is through knowing my son and getting to know him.”

Cuonzo Martin Claims NCAA Tournament Focus Despite Scandal

Cal’s head coach, Cuonzo Martin, assured that the removal of assistant coach Yanni Hufnagel would not divert attention or hinder the Bears ahead of their NCAA tournament opener. Martin skillfully sidestepped multiple questions about the issue during a media session, maintaining a focused demeanor in the team’s locker room.

When queried about how he addressed the situation with his players, Martin commented, “We talk about how things happen in life, whether it’s basketball, the classroom, or family matters. You keep moving forward despite the bumps along the way. We don’t dwell on it. We’re not consumed by it. We address it and handle it because that’s life.”

Yanni Hufnagel was dismissed after an internal investigation confirmed improper interactions with a female reporter. The university is now examining the entire circumstance, including whether Martin promptly reported the incident to the institution.

Focusing on the ongoing NCAA tournament, Martin stated during a press conference, “Right now, it’s a university matter. Our primary concern is the performance of our basketball team in the NCAA tournament.”

When asked about potential repercussions for his job, Martin dismissed it as a top concern, stating, “To be honest with you, I don’t worry about those things. My responsibility is to develop young men, graduate them, and win games for our basketball team. Anything else is a waste of time.”

Players assured that Friday’s game against Hawaii would not be overshadowed by Hufnagel’s dismissal, and Martin revealed that the coaching staff would collectively handle Hufnagel’s responsibilities on game day.

Emphasizing the positive impact Hufnagel had on practices, Martin highlighted their strong relationships. Despite the incident, Martin emphasized moving forward, encouraging diverse conversations with players to broaden their perspectives on life. “We don’t dwell on the same subject for days on end,” he added.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the firing of California assistant basketball coach Yanni Hufnagel stemmed from alleged sexual harassment involving a female journalist who received sexually suggestive texts. The university’s seven-month investigation was prompted by an email from the reporter to head coach Cuonzo Martin, detailing the unwanted advances. The report also indicates that the reporter had previously contacted Martin to express her concerns about the situation.