Retired American football icon Michael Irvin has been hit with legal action by three TV producers over allegations he cut them out of a deal for a new sports-based reality show.

The trio of producers, whose identities remain unknown, claim they teamed up with the former NFL star in 2007 to develop a show which gives wannabe footballers the opportunity to play for the Dallas Cowboys in Texas.

But, according to a lawsuit filed in a Dallas court last week (ends29May09), Irvin later took the idea and presented it to network chiefs at Spike TV on his own - taking all the credit for the show and renaming it 4th and Long, reports TMZ.com.

The producers are seeking damages and compensation on the grounds of fraud, fraudulent nondisclosure and breach of contract. (MT/WNWCZM/IG)

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