Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson, a breakout star in the WNBA, has filed a bombshell $100 million civil lawsuit against her ex-boyfriend, Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker James Pearce Jr. accusing him of severe domestic violence, stalking, and intentional infliction of emotional distress following a terrifying February 7, 2026 incident in Doral, Florida.
According to the lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade County court, Jackson alleges that after she ended their three-year relationship and blocked his number, Pearce became obsessive. He allegedly stalked her using alternate phones, then pursued her in his Lamborghini SUV when she tried to flee to the Doral Police Department for safety. The complaint details multiple deliberate collisions: Pearce purportedly rammed her vehicle from behind, blocked her path, and crashed head-on when she reversed to escape, using his SUV as a deadly weapon in acts of aggravated battery and domestic violence.
Jackson claims the assault left her with physical injuries, severe trauma, property damage to her car, and ongoing fear for her safety. The suit seeks $100 million in compensatory and punitive damages, citing Pearce’s NFL earnings potential, reckless disregard for her life, and the public nature of the ordeal that has amplified her emotional suffering.
Pearce, arrested that day on five felony charges—including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, fleeing police, and battery on a law enforcement officer—posted $20,500 bond and remains under a strict no-contact order. His attorney maintains his innocence in the criminal case, but the civil filing escalates the stakes, potentially jeopardizing his young career with the Falcons.
Jackson, the No. 4 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, averaged 14.7 points per game in 2025 and emerged as a key player for the Sparks. Supporters have flooded social media with messages of solidarity, praising her courage in pursuing justice and highlighting the broader issue of domestic abuse in professional sports.
The lawsuit underscores calls for stronger protections for athletes in personal relationships. As legal battles unfold in both criminal and civil courts, the sports world watches closely for outcomes that could reshape accountability standards across the NFL and WNBA. Resources for survivors remain available via the National Domestic Violence Hotline at
