Racial discrimination lawsuit against NFL and teams can go to trial, court rules

Former Patriots defensive end Jake Bequette discusses Brian Flores’ racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL and ‘unhinged’ behavior as the Super Bowl approaches on ‘Fox Business @ Night.’

A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFL for racial discrimination can go to trial. 

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld Judge Valerie Caproni’s previous ruling that Flores can proceed with claims against the league and the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Houston Texans.

The ruling rejected the league’s attempt to force Flores into arbitration, which would have had Commissioner Roger Goodell serve as the arbitrator.

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Defensive coordinator Brian Flores of the Minnesota Vikings before a game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.  (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

The NFL responded via spokesperson Brian McCarthy. 

"We respectfully disagree with the panel’s ruling and will be seeking further review," his statement said. 

Flores sued the NFL and multiple teams in 2022, claiming the league was "rife with racism," particularly in its hiring and promotion of Black coaches. Two other coaches later joined the lawsuit, which seeks to proceed as a class action, although Caproni ruled that their claims could go to arbitration based on the language in contracts they signed with teams.

Flores is the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings after working previously as a coach for the New England Patriots, from 2008 to 2018; the Miami Dolphins, from 2019 to 2021; and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022. He joined the Vikings in 2023.

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