Ex-Pirates catcher sues Tennessee company for failing to repay loan

A Pittsburgh Pirates catcher-turned-broadcaster is suing a pro-Second Amendment social media company based in Tennessee, alleging it failed to fully repay a $15,000 loan plus interest.

Michael McKenry claimed he made the loan to Greyhive LLC in October 2022 expecting to earn 15% in interest within three months.

More than two years later, according to the lawsuit, McKenry has been repaid only $750.

Greyhive, which operates an online “firearm video platform for law enforcement and firearm enthusiasts,” promotes itself as “an uncensored platform empowering (Second Amendment) creators to thrive without censorship. Cancel-proof and purpose-built, it champions freedom, community and revenue generation, standing against big tech’s attack on the firearm industry.”

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, also names as defendants Jeremy and April Harrell of Tennessee, who operate Greyhive.

They did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Todd Elliott, a lawyer in Allegheny County who represents McKenry, said his client loaned money to Greyhive but did not invest in it.

“Greyhive pretended to be an up-and-coming company and misrepresented what it was doing,” Elliott said.

According to the lawsuit, Greyhive claimed to have a video and social media reach of more than 6 million followers and more than 20 million monthly video views “in the firearms, outdoor and tactical industries” arena.

However, 65 videos posted in the week before the complaint was filed had 103 total views, the lawsuit said.

“This means that the bulk of these videos are posted mainly to serve the ego of the person featured in the video, as opposed to reaching a significant audience or market,” it said.

The lawsuit accuses the Harrells of making false claims about their business, including the amount of money others were investing.

Elliott said McKenry didn’t necessarily buy into the content Greyhive offered as much as the belief that they were a rising influencer.

“There’s this perception that there are these people influencing the world through social media,” Elliott said.

McKenry, 40, was the reserve catcher for the Pirates from 2011 to 2013. He retired from MLB in 2016 and joined Pirates broadcasts two years later.

He currently serves as an in-studio analyst for Pirates broadcasts on SportsNet Pittsburgh.

The lawsuit includes claims for breach of contract, civil conspiracy and fraud.

Another lawsuit containing the same allegations against Greyhive was filed the same day by Jeffrey Manganello of Allegheny County, who also loaned Greyhive $15,000 and is represented by Elliott.