Supreme Court allows discrimination lawsuit against NFL
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- The Supreme Court declined to intervene in a discrimination lawsuit filed by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores against the NFL, allowing the case to move forward to trial in New York.
- The NFL had sought to have the case resolved through arbitration rather than open court, but the justices rejected this, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh dissenting from the decision not to hear the appeal.
- Flores, along with fellow Black coaches Steve Wilks and Ray Horton, alleges the NFL engages in racist hiring practices; the lawsuit targets the league and three teams (Broncos, Giants, Texans).
- The NFL expressed respect for the Supreme Court’s decision and stated it is prepared to defend itself, while the plaintiffs’ attorneys welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the need for court litigation over arbitration in discrimination claims.
- Flores was fired by the Dolphins after a 24-25 record in three years, Wilks and Horton claim discriminatory treatment in coaching opportunities with the Cardinals and Titans, respectively.