NFL cannot force Black coach's racial bias claims into arbitration, appeals court rules
NFL cannot force Black coach's racial bias claims into arbitration, appeals court rules
reuters.com
- Brian Flores alleged 'sham' interviews for coaching jobs
- NFL's Goodell cannot oversee arbitrations unilaterally
- NFL disagrees with decision, to seek further review
NEW YORK, Aug 14 (Reuters) - The National Football League cannot force Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores' racial bias claims into an arbitration controlled by the league, a federal appeals court ruled on Thursday.
In a 3-0 decision, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said a provision in the NFL constitution granting Commissioner Roger Goodell unilateral authority to arbitrate was "plainly unenforceable" because it would deny Flores arbitration "in any meaningful sense of the word."
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said: "We respectfully disagree with the panel's ruling, and will be seeking further review."
Flores, 44, who is Black, sued the NFL in February 2022, saying he was subjected to "sham" interviews for head coaching positions so teams could comply with diversity recruiting requirements under the league's Rooney Rule.
The proposed class action alleged systemic discrimination against Black candidates for top coaching and management jobs.