Phaneuf, Lupul seeking damages from TSN for 'defamatory tweet'

Joffrey Lupul and Dion Phaneuf want more than an apology from TSN.

The broadcast network apologized Monday after airing an inappropriate tweet during its trade deadline show, but the Toronto Maple Leafs players are threatening a lawsuit unless they receive more than words.

Peter A. Gall, Q.C. of Gall Legge Grant & Munroe LLP released a statement Tuesday on behalf of Lupul, Phaneuf and Phaneuf's wife Elisha Cuthbert demanding TSN pay "a significant amount of damages" and issue a formal apology for airing the tweet, which the statement calls "false and defamatory."

Related: Kessel: Media's treatment of Phaneuf is 'embarrassing'

TSN is owned by Bell Canada, which has a minority interest in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment - the company that owns and operates the Maple Leafs.

The statement names both TSN and the author of the tweet. TSN aired an apology prior to Tuesday's game between Toronto and the Florida Panthers.

Here is the statement in full:

On behalf of our clients Dion Phaneuf, his wife Elisha Cuthbert and Joffrey Lupul, we have sent a letter to TSN demanding that TSN issue a formal apology and pay a significant amount of damages to each of our clients for broadcasting a false and defamatory tweet during their trade deadline show yesterday. We are sending a similar letter to the author of the tweet, Mr. Anthony Adragna.

It is bad enough that there are people who spend their time using social media to publish such false and malicious stories, but it is made much worse when a reputable media outlet like TSN gives broad circulation and credibility to these false stories by republishing them as TSN did.

If TSN and Mr. Adragna do not immediately comply with the demands set out in our letters, we have instructions from our clients to immediately commence a lawsuit against them.

Our clients will not be discussing this matter with the media. Any questions should be directed to the undersigned.