Court Rules Against NFL in Flores' Racial Bias Arbitration Battle
Brian Flores' racial bias claims cannot be forced into NFL-controlled arbitration, a federal appeals court ruled. The court found the NFL's arbitration provision unenforceable. Flores sued, citing systemic discrimination against Black candidates for top jobs. The case centers on whether NFL's arbitration process is fair, with implications for league diversity measures.
The National Football League found itself on the receiving end of a critical legal decision on Thursday, as a federal appeals court ruled that Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores' racial bias claims could not be forced into an arbitration process controlled by the league.
In a unanimous 3-0 decision, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan criticized a provision in the NFL's constitution that bestowed Commissioner Roger Goodell with unilateral arbitration authority, labeling it "plainly unenforceable." The court argued this provision would render Flores' arbitration meaningless. The NFL plans to contest the ruling, according to spokesperson Brian McCarthy, while lawyers for Flores have yet to comment.
Flores, who is Black, filed a lawsuit against the NFL and specific teams, citing instances of systemic racial discrimination in hiring practices, particularly concerning 'sham' interviews conducted under the Rooney Rule. This significant ruling reinforces judicial scrutiny over the NFL's commitment to diversity and poses potential challenges to the league's existing arbitration agreements.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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