Former coach Jon Gruden, whose tenure with the Raiders was marred by a racist email scandal, scores a major victory in the Supreme Court against the NFL
In a significant legal victory for Jon Gruden, the former Las Vegas Raiders head coach, the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that his lawsuit against the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell can proceed in public court rather than being forced into private arbitration.
The court's decision, announced on August 11, 2025, comes after Gruden filed a lawsuit in November 2021, alleging that the NFL and Goodell intentionally leaked his private emails to damage his reputation and force his resignation. The emails contained controversial and offensive language.
The court did not decide on the truthfulness of Gruden's claims but focused on rejecting the NFL's effort to compel arbitration through the league's Constitution and Bylaws arbitration clause. The court found that clause inapplicable to Gruden because he was not an NFL employee when the emails were sent, and arbitration in this context was unfair.
Following the ruling, the NFL announced it will appeal the Nevada Supreme Court's decision, so the case's future depends on whether that appeal succeeds. Meanwhile, Gruden can continue pursuing his claims openly, either through civil litigation or possibly settlement discussions, though Gruden reportedly wants to protect his reputation through court proceedings rather than settle quietly.
This marks a major procedural win for Gruden, shifting the dispute toward open court rather than confidential arbitration. It also raises questions about the NFL's arbitration clause and its applicability in similar cases involving former employees.
Gruden's legal battle with the NFL is not his only recent venture. In November 2021, he signed a multi-year contract with Barstool Sports, venturing into a new career path. He has also expressed hope for a return to coaching, stating, "I'm going to coach again."
The emails that led to Gruden's dismissal as Raiders head coach in 2021 also showed him complaining about the drafting of a gay player and tolerance for those protesting racism by kneeling during the national anthem. He has claimed that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell forced him to resign from the Raiders.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Gruden used a racist term to describe NFL union chief DeMaurice Smith in a 2011 email to former Washington executive Bruce Allen. NBC's Peter King wrote that "several smart people in the league think the leaks come from the Snyder camp."
Gruden has visited several NFL training camps, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Detroit Lions, since stepping away from the NFL in 2021 due to the revelation of racist and homophobic language in the leaked emails. The Buccaneers reinstated him to the team's Ring of Honor in February.
Adam Hosmer-Henner, Gruden's attorney, stated that the decision vindicates Gruden's reputation and clears the way for him to seek full justice. As the legal battle continues, Gruden's hope for a return to coaching remains undeterred.
References: 1. NBC Sports 2. ESPN 3. The Detroit Free Press 4. The Washington Post
