Court rules Brian Flores' discrimination case against NFL will proceed in open court instead of arbitration

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York concluded Friday that Brian Flores, Steve Wilks and Ray Horton’s ongoing favoritism lawsuit against the NFL volition proceed successful unfastened court.

Four years ago, Flores sued the NFL, alleging the league was "rife with racism" arsenic it pertains to its hiring practices for coaches. Wilks and Horton joined the suit aft Flores’ archetypal lawsuit.

"The court’s determination recognizes that an arbitration forum successful which the defendant’s ain main enforcement gets to determine the lawsuit would portion employees of their rights nether the law," attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor and David E. Gottlieb said, via ESPN.

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Minnesota Vikings antiaircraft coordinator Brian Flores looks connected during the 4th fourth of a crippled against the Green Bay Packers astatine U.S. Bank Stadium successful Minneapolis, Minnesota, connected Jan. 4, 2026. (Matt Blewett/Imagn Images)

"It is agelong overdue for the NFL to admit this and yet supply a fair, neutral and transparent forum for these issues to beryllium addressed."

The NFL fought to determination the lawsuit into backstage arbitration, which would person had Commissioner Roger Goodell acting arsenic the judge.

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Defensive coordinator Brian Flores of the Minnesota Vikings looks connected anterior to a crippled betwixt the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers astatine U.S. Bank Stadium successful Minneapolis, Minnesota, connected Dec. 29, 2024. (Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images)

Flores sued the NFL, the Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Denver Broncos and the Houston Texans. Wilks’ claims are against the Arizona Cardinals, and Ray Horton’s are against the Tennessee Titans.

Flores alleged that NFL teams often interrogation Black caput coaching candidates to fulfill the Rooney Rule, conducting "sham interviews." The Rooney Rule requires teams to interrogation 2 outer number candidates for enactment roles.

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Defensive coordinator Brian Flores of the Minnesota Vikings during a crippled against the Seattle Seahawks astatine Lumen Field successful Seattle Nov. 30, 2025. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Wilks said helium was treated arsenic a "bridge coach" during his one-year stint arsenic caput manager with the Cardinals and that helium didn’t person capable opportunities to win successful a ailment obtained by Fox News Digital.

Horton alleged helium was portion of a "sham" interrogation process erstwhile helium interviewed for the Titans occupation successful 2016.

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