On May 26, the Supreme Court refused to intervene in the discrimination lawsuit Brian Flores filed against the NFL. With the appeal rejected, the former Miami Dolphins head coach's lawsuit will proceed to trial. 

“We are pleased that the Supreme Court declined to accept the NFL’s appeal,” Flores’ lawyers said, per an X post by Pro Football Talk. “The NFL must now accept that its commissioner cannot be the arbitrator over discrimination claims against the league and its teams. We look forward to litigating these claims in court.”

Flores, 45, filed a class-action lawsuit against the league and four franchises in 2022 for discriminatory practices while hiring Black coaches like himself.

Flores sued the Denver Broncos, the New York Giants, the Houston Texans, as well as the Miami Dolphins, who fired him shortly before filing the lawsuit.

Flores was later joined by fellow Black coaches Steve Wilks and Ray Horton. Wilks, 56, said the Cardinals hired him as a bridge coach in 2018 but did not offer him a full-time role.

“He [Wilks] said the Cardinals didn’t provide him with a realistic chance to succeed,” AP reported, via ESPN on May 26.

Horton, 66, also spoke out against the Tennessee Titans. According to his account, the franchise did not offer him a “genuine interview” for the head coaching position in 2016.

Horton's last coaching stint in the NFL was in 2019. 

The Miami Dolphins and the NFL’s Statements on Brian Flores’ Lawsuit

The NFL denied Flores' claims immediately after the filing, saying that Flores’ claims were “without merit.” The NFL then aimed to proceed with the lawsuit through in-house league arbitration.

The Supreme Court's decision is a defeat for the league, which issued a follow-up statement.

“We respect the Supreme Court’s decision not to grant review. Regardless of the forum, we are fully prepared to defend ourselves as this matter proceeds,” the NFL said, per a Pro Football Talk X post on May 26.

In his lawsuit, Flores stated that the Miami Dolphins’ owner, Stephen Ross, had attempted to bribe him. Ross had offered Flores $100,000 for losing each game intentionally in 2019 to tank for the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Flores stated that he refused the offer.

The Dolphins fired Flores after three years and a 9-8 campaign defined by a seven-game winning streak in 2022. 

“We vehemently deny any allegations of racial discrimination and are proud of the diversity and inclusion throughout our organization,” the Dolphins said in response to Flores’ lawsuit.

At present, Flores serves as the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit