Atlanta-based sports bar chain Jocks & Jills files for bankruptcy

<p>The popular sports bar chain Jocks & Jills has filed for Chapter Eleven bankruptcy protection.</p><p>The restaurant was founded 20 years ago by two former Atlanta Hawks players and a local sports announcer.</p><p>The Atlanta-based company blamed the bankruptcy petition on its obligation of a recent $2 million verdict for sexual and racial harassment. The company has asked for a stay, but it has not been granted.</p><p>The company filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Atlanta. The company said it is seeking bankruptcy help because the payment would "impair" its operations.</p><p>The company says it expects to continue normal business operations during its reorganization.</p><p>Former employee Tracey Tomczyk brought the lawsuit against Jocks & Jills more than six years ago. She worked her way up from store manager and was the highest-ranking female manager at the time she was fired.</p><p>Her attorney, Edward Buckley, said says after Tomczyk began dating a black man, company Chairman Joseph Rollins began taunting her and making crude sexual comments about her relationship.</p><p>The company's Web site said the sports bar was founded in 1987 by former Hawks players Randy Wittman and Scott Hastings along with Turner Sports announcer Craig Sager.</p><p>The chain has seven stores in Georgia and locations in Charlotte, N.C., and Parker, Colo.</p><p>____</p><p>HASH(0x1d02078)</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x1d021d4)</p>