Former NFL Network reporter Jim Trotter files discrimination, retaliation lawsuit against NFL

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Former NFL Network reporter Jim Trotter filed a discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against the NFL and NFL Media on Tuesday, six months after he was told his contract would not be renewed in March 2023.

The complaint alleges that Trotter's contract was not renewed because he challenged NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and others about the league’s "record of race discrimination and lack of diversity."

"The NFL has claimed it wants to be held accountable regarding diversity, equity and inclusion.  I tried to do so, and it cost me my job.  I’m filing this lawsuit because I can’t complain about things that are wrong if I’m unwilling to fight for what is right," Trotter said in a statement. 

Trotter, who worked for the NFL Network for five years, says there was an expectation that his contract would be renewed after a November 2022 conversation between Trotter's agent and NFL Vice President of On-Air Talent Management Sandra Nunez.

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (Nick Tre. Smith / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images / File)

Nunez allegedly told his agent that she "could not envision any reason why his [Mr. Trotter's] contract would not be renewed," according to the complaint.

But then after publicly challenging Goodell during a State of the League press conference in February 2023 on the NFL’s "record on hiring, retaining and advancing Black leaders across the organization, including in the NFL newsroom," Trotter says he was asked if he was "in alignment" with the NFL, to which Trotter said he was not "in alignment" with a