Flores lawsuit advances to trial against NFL and three teams

A federal appeals court rules Flores can pursue civil claims against the NFL and three teams, challenging the league arbitration process.

Court Allows Flores Race Bias Case Against NFL and Three Teams to Proceed

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld Judge Valerie Caproni's ruling that Brian Flores can proceed with claims against the NFL and three teams: the Denver Broncos, the New York Giants and the Houston Texans. It rejected the idea that the NFL’s arbitration rules, which require Flores to bring claims to arbitration before Commissioner Roger Goodell, are protected by the Federal Arbitration Act because the scheme functions as arbitration in name only.

The decision follows Flores’ February 2022 lawsuit alleging racism in hiring and promotions within the league. Other coaches later joined the suit. Flores has spoken about the personal risks of challenging the league, but said the fight could help future generations. Caproni’s earlier writings framed the case within a broader history of discrimination in professional football, and she noted that while most players are Black, only a small share of coaches are Black. The NFL said it would seek further review of the ruling.

The ruling sharpens the clash between how professional sports are governed and how workers can seek redress. By questioning the arbitration framework, the court is signaling that a league’s internal dispute system may not shield ownership and league officials from accountability. The fight now moves toward a potential trial, which could expose sensitive hiring data and test the league’s ability to settle disputes without broad public scrutiny.

Beyond Flores, the decision could influence other labor and civil rights cases in sports. If courts demand a real, independent forum for disputes, leagues may rethink arbitration clauses, governance models, and the balance of power between owners, commissioners, and players. The outcome may affect sponsorships, fan trust, and the political weight of discrimination claims in a sport that already faces steady public pressure to reform.

Highlights

The legal battle tests whether a league can shield itself from scrutiny while facing a long history of discrimination.