Navratilova and Former Partner Fight Over Settlement
Martina Navratilova and her former partner, Toni Layton, ended their 8-year relationship over a year ago, but the couple are fighting over what constitutes a fair settlement. Layton’s lawyers contend the famous tennis star offered only $200,000 to the woman who dedicated eight years of her life to nurturing the champ’s career. Page Six reports: “Layton has tried to negotiate a settlement with the world’s former No. 1 women’s player for a year, only to have Navratilova’s lawyers threaten “to publicly discredit Toni and humiliate her,” Layton’s flack, Gary Smith, said. “[But] Navratilova’s team has another thing coming if they think we are going to just lie down and be steamrolled. The offer was an insult. Navratilova is using Florida’s failure to recognize gay marriage to her advantage.”
Navratilova’s spokesperson has refused to comment. However, Layton’s case is weakened by the fact that although Navratilova continued to play doubles long after she retired from singles tennis, her tennis career was clearly on the wane. Also, the fact that the parties never married is an advantage to Navratilova. Basically this situation equates to a heterosexual couple who lived together for eight years and then broke up. Unless the couple has property titled jointly, usually you just leave with what you have. Which means Layton is on thin legal ground. It would be different if Navratilova had put real estate in Layton’s name, or bank accounts, or something like that, because then Layton would have a recognized legal right to the property. Clearly Navratilova did not do that or the matter would probably be settled. I think Layton has a tough row to hoe if she’s hoping to obtain a seven figure plus settlement, which would explain why she’s taking the case to the court of public opinion. No doubt she’s hoping Navratilova will increase her offer to make her go away.