(Image Source: USA Today)

BY MATT NOONAN

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

The two men who accused Syracuse’s former assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine of sexual abuse are now suing the university and head coach Jim Boeheim for defamation.

Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim apologized for saying allegations of sexual abuse against former assistant coach Bernie Fine were coming from liars motivated by money. But for the alleged victims -- former ball boys Bobby Davis and Michael Lang -- an apology wasn’t enough.

Davis told CNN’s Piers Morgan that Boeheim’s comments have damaged his reputation.

“In regards to what Boeheim said -- coach Boeheim -- hurt very much. And that’s why we’re filing this lawsuit, because the damage he did to us and what he said, and calling us liars, is very hurtful. I just believe he needs to be held accountable, and the way the university handled it needs to be held accountable.”

The plaintiffs’ choice to be represented by high-profile attorney Gloria Allred has raised a few eyebrows. Syracuse.com says her presence will certainly garner a lot of attention in the national spotlight.

“The presence of Allred is likely to raise the profile of the SU case. On her web site, Allred calls herself ‘the most famous woman attorney practicing law in the nation today.’ She plays a judge on her own television show, ‘We the People.’ ... [She] has also earned a reputation as an advocate for less famous victims of discrimination and crime.”

But not everyone thinks Allred’s presence is positive. On Fox Business, Don Imus and his panel say she calls into question the legitimacy of the case.

“And their attorney is Gloria Allred.”

“Well that doesn’t help them at all, that’s the problem. Why would they hire her?”

“Really, of all the shysters out there. As soon as she shows up you wonder if they’re lying or not. You think they might be lying.”

“Oh no, absolutely.”

“The first thing that enters your mind is ‘Why is she involved in this?’”

“Money. They’re in it for money. It’s some sneaky financial motive they have.”

But with or without Allred, ESPN legal analyst Roger Cossack says the plaintiffs will have a difficult time proving damages.

“It’d be interesting and difficult to figure out how they were damaged by what Boeheim said, what kind of damages they would be entitled to. And we can never forget that Boeheim -- a few days later, after he had more information -- apologized for what he said. So I just don’t think this is much of a lawsuit that’s going to go very far.”

Even if the lawsuit doesn’t go very far, a New York Daily News columnist says coaches everywhere should take note of Boeheim’s situation.

“The defamation lawsuit against Jim Boeheim ... is a harsh ... lesson to every powerful college head coach in charge of too many assistants, players, trainers, graduate assistants and popcorn vendors: Don’t blindly defend anyone, unless you have direct, first-hand evidence to refute the charges. And most importantly, don’t attack the accusers under any circumstances.”

The suit doesn’t ask for a specific dollar amount -- damages will be determined at the time of the trial.

Transcript By Newsy.