Supreme Court Denies NFL’s Request in Flores Lawsuit

The U.S. Supreme Court declined the NFL’s request to step in regarding Brian Flores’ racial discrimination lawsuit, allowing the case to continue in federal court without arbitration.

This ruling means the lower court’s decision to deny the NFL’s push for private arbitration remains in place. The NFL had attempted to stop the lawsuit and wanted Commissioner Roger Goodell to serve as the ultimate decision-maker following a league-led review.

Flores, dismissed as head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2022 after a three-year stint, filed the lawsuit against the Dolphins, New York Giants, and Denver Broncos, claiming racial discrimination in the hiring process. He is joined in the suit by Steve Wilkes, who coached the Arizona Cardinals for one season, and Ray Horton, a former defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans.

A former Dolphins coach has alleged that the NFL has discriminated against him alongside other Black coaches and candidates.

After finishing a mediocre 24-25 record with the Dolphins, Flores stated that while he met with the Giants and Broncos, he felt he was not genuinely considered for the positions.

Flores opposed the notion of NFL arbitration, suggesting that Goodell could not fairly evaluate the matter.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit sided with Flores, indicating that the NFL’s rules are unenforceable in this situation based on a federal statute known as the Arbitration Act. They remarked that the arbitration clause essentially provides for arbitration in name only.

The NFL expressed to the Supreme Court that the lower court’s decision was “unprecedented,” asserting that previous disputes had typically been directed to NFL arbitration. However, Flores contended that there is substantial legal precedent indicating that employees shouldn’t be compelled into internal arbitration in cases of workplace discrimination.