SCOTUS rejects – The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to intervene in Brian Flores’ discrimination lawsuit against the NFL, a decision that keeps the case on track toward trial. The NFL had asked for the dispute to be handled through arbitration rather than open court in New Y
WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, the Supreme Court declined to step in and stop Brian Flores’ discrimination lawsuit against the NFL, leaving the case to move forward toward trial.
The justices rejected the league’s appeal seeking to have the matter resolved through arbitration instead of an open-court proceeding in New York. Justice Brett Kavanaugh dissented from the decision not to hear the case.
For Flores, the legal fight has been rooted in a claim about how opportunity has been handled for Black coaches. In February 2022. the former Miami Dolphins head coach filed suit against the NFL and three teams. alleging the league was “rife with racism” in its hiring practices for Black coaches. The complaint was later joined by two fellow Black coaches: Steve Wilks and Ray Horton.
Flores, who was fired by the Dolphins shortly before the lawsuit was filed, is now the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator. His Dolphins tenure. according to the record cited in the case. ended after a 24-25 mark over three years without a playoff appearance. The Dolphins did, however, have back-to-back winning seasons before Flores was dismissed.
The NFL argued that Flores should be sent to arbitration rather than the legal system. Lower courts sided with the plaintiffs. and the league said it respected the Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene. which keeps those lower-court rulings in place. The NFL said it was “fully prepared to defend ourselves as this matter proceeds.”.
The plaintiffs’ side said the decision was a win for their ability to litigate in court. David Gottlieb and Douglas Wigdor. attorneys for the plaintiffs. said they were pleased with the Supreme Court’s action and said the league must now accept that its commissioner cannot serve as the arbitrator over discrimination claims involving the NFL and its teams. They added that they look forward to litigating the claims in court.
Flores’ lawsuit named not only the NFL, but also the Denver Broncos, the New York Giants and the Houston Texans. The court filing notes that he interviewed with the Broncos in 2019, and that he interviewed with the Giants and Texans in 2022.
Wilks’ involvement adds another layer to the claims. Fired as the New York Jets’ defensive coordinator in December. Wilks joined the lawsuit by pointing to his experience with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. He said the Cardinals hired him as a “bridge coach” — promoting him to interim coach after they fired another coach — and then passed over him for the full-time role. Wilks said the Cardinals didn’t give him a realistic chance to succeed.
Horton, who last coached in the NFL in 2019, also alleged unfair treatment. His claim centers on the Tennessee Titans, saying they did not offer him a genuine interview for the head coaching position in 2016.
Brian Flores SCOTUS NFL discrimination lawsuit arbitration Supreme Court Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings Steve Wilks Ray Horton Brett Kavanaugh hiring practices
So they just said nope to the NFL? Good. Idk what arbitration would even change.
I thought Flores already lost or whatever? Like this has been going on forever. Also arbitration sounds more fair to me? but I guess SCOTUS didn’t buy it.
Kavanaugh dissent doesn’t surprise me, he always picks the side that says “no big deal.” If the NFL is racist then it’s insane they’re dragging it out like this.
Wait so is this about him being fired or like hiring coordinators? I’m confused because the article says black coaches opportunity and then mentions arbitration. The NFL’s argument sounded like they wanted it private so they could settle quick… but now it’s in New York court so yeah, longer for everybody.