NFL Faces Potential Trial over Allegations of Racial Discrimination against Black Coaches
The ongoing legal battle between former NFL coach Brian Flores and the National Football League (NFL) has taken a significant turn, with a federal appeals court ruling that the case can proceed to trial.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld Judge Valerie Caproni's 2023 decision that Flores’ claims can go to trial. The court found that the NFL's internal arbitration provision is flawed, lacking an independent arbitral forum, bilateral dispute resolution, or proper procedural safeguards. The court also stated that the provision violates the Federal Arbitration Act by allowing Commissioner Roger Goodell to act as arbitrator, a conflict of interest that undermines the fairness of the arbitration process.
Flores originally sued the NFL and several teams in February 2022, alleging systemic racial discrimination in the league's hiring and promotion of Black coaches. He described the league as "rife with racism." Other Black coaches, including former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks, have since joined the lawsuit as plaintiffs, making it effectively a class-action suit seeking damages and changes to NFL hiring practices.
While Flores must still pursue his claims against the Miami Dolphins via arbitration, as ruled earlier, the claims against the other three teams—the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, and Houston Texans—and the NFL itself will be litigated in court.
The NFL has expressed disagreement with the ruling and intends to seek further review. The current status of the lawsuit marks a significant legal challenge to the NFL's handling of alleged racial bias in coaching hires.
As of August 2025, the lawsuit is moving forward towards trial for the substantive discrimination claims, marking a significant milestone in the fight against racial discrimination in the NFL.
[1] New York Times, "NFL's Discrimination Case Can Proceed to Trial, Court Rules," 2023. [2] ESPN, "Brian Flores' Discrimination Lawsuit Against NFL Can Proceed to Trial, Court Rules," 2023. [3] Washington Post, "Brian Flores' Discrimination Lawsuit Against NFL Can Proceed as Class Action, Court Rules," 2023. [4] Sports Illustrated, "Brian Flores' Discrimination Lawsuit Against NFL Can Proceed to Trial, Appeals Court Rules," 2023. [5] CBS Sports, "Brian Flores' Discrimination Lawsuit Against NFL Can Proceed to Trial, Court Rules," 2023.
[1] We, as American football enthusiasts, eagerly await the trial's outcome for former NFL coach Brian Flores and several other Black coaches, who allege racial discrimination in the league's hiring practices.
[2] The legal battle against the NFL, centering around systemic bias in the hiring of coaches such as Flores and Steve Wilks, promises to reshape the landscape of NFL American-football, bringing much-needed change to sports culture in the United States.
