by: Nick Schultz 33 minutes ago NickSchultz_7
Vikings DC Brian Flores (© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
A court has denied the NFL’s request to move the Brian Flores discrimination case to arbitration, according to Front Office Sports’ Margaret Fleming. The case must be heard in open court.
In August, a three-judge panel ruled Flores’ claims against three teams – the New York Giants, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans could not be forced into arbitration, controlled by the NFL – while his case against the Miami Dolphins could. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit denied a full-court review of that decision, stating the claims must be heard in open court.
Flores filed a class-action suit against the NFL in 2022, along with the Giants, Broncos and Dolphins. He accused the NFL being “rife with racism” during its hiring processes and also alleged racial discrimination during his time in Miami, where he served as head coach. The Texans were added as defendants after the initial filing as Steve Wilks and Ray Horton joined as plaintiffs.
In September, Flores’ attorneys filed for reconsideration of a 2023 arbitration order. His attorneys argued, “Any attempt by the NFL to further delay and avoid litigation of these claims should respectfully be rejected.”