Eli Manning
(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Multiple New York Giants equipment staffers were fired this week following the lawsuit settlement regarding fake game-worn Eli Manning memorabilia.

Multiple employees in the New York Giants equipment room were sent home for good this week. Equipment director Joseph Skiba, assistant equipment director Edward Skiba and equipment/locker room manager Ed Wagner Jr. were all terminated.

This, of course, comes after the lawsuit settlement on May 14 involving the sale of what was disputed to be fake game-worn Eli Manning helmets to unsuspecting fans.

Steiner Sports, who is under contract with Manning for the sale of game-worn jerseys and helmets, filed the lawsuit in April 2017. This came after an email from Manning to Joseph Skiba. The email mentioned that Manning needed Skiba to get “two helmets that can pass as game used.”

This began speculation that what Manning had been selling to Steiner Sports and fans in the past was fraud memorabilia.

The lawsuit was against the Giants, Manning himself, along with the Skiba brothers. It was settled on May 14 before it could even go to trial, which was set for later this month.

Joseph Skiba had all claims against him dismissed by the jury. They ultimately did not find he was profiting from the sales of this claimed bogus equipment.

However, Giants owner John Mara still believed and considered what Skiba and the other staffers did can be considered stealing from the organization. That’s what then led to the ultimate firing of all three of them.

Those who have followed Eli Manning his entire career were most likely stunned when the initial news broke last year. However, it’s definitely a plus to see the situation settled, even it means the firing of a few equipment staffers.

Now Eli and the Giants can put it behind them and focus on the inevitable 2018 season.

Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.