"ABC News made an historically large payout to settle a defamation lawsuit earlier this summer, according to a new financial release from the network's parent company Disney and an attorney for the plaintiff.

In a footnote on the company's quarterly earnings report on Tuesday, Disney said it paid $177 million that was "incurred in connection with the settlement of litigation," at least some of which was related to a years-long legal dispute with South Dakota-based meat processor Beef Products Inc.

Disney has not specified exactly what it spent the $177 million on -- some of it may represent money that went to legal costs and other related items, as well as other legal disputes -- but a lawyer for BPI told CNNMoney that its settlement was worth even more than $177 million.

Spokespeople for both ABC News and Disney did not respond to a request for comment. "

Tom Kludt reports for CNN August 9, 2017. [2]