UPDATED: June 11, 2013 ast 9:39 p.m.

Bernie Fine’s defamation lawsuit against ESPN will now appear in federal court.

Fine, the former Syracuse University associate men’s basketball coach, is suing ESPN for reporting two former ball boys’ claims that he molested them as children, The Post Standard reported on Tuesday.

The lawsuit was moved to federal court because ESPN is a Delaware corporation, but its main headquarters are located in Connecticut. Fine is also asking for $11 million in damages, CNY Central reported on Tuesday. The initial court hearing is scheduled for July 18.

ESPN officials said Bobby Davis, a former SU ball boy, came forward with the story in 2003 but the organization couldn’t further confirm his accusations. When Michael Lang, Davis’ step-brother and former SU ball boy, voiced accusations of similar nature, ESPN decided to publish the story, according to The Post Standard.

Fine, who has denied the allegations, was fired from the university on Nov. 27, 2011. Federal prosecutors investigated the allegations in 2012, but said there wasn’t enough evidence to charge Fine.