Brian Flores' racial discrimination lawsuit against NFL can proceed in court after judge's ruling
CBS Sports
by
Robby Kalland
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A U.S. district court judge has ruled that Brian Flores' racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL can proceed in court, rejecting the league's attempt to move the case to arbitration. Judge Valerie Caproni of the Southern District of New York found the NFL's arbitration system, controlled by Commissioner Roger Goodell, inherently biased and unable to provide a fair resolution for plaintiffs. The judge highlighted that such a process strips employees of their legal rights, making it impossible for plaintiffs like Flores, Steve Wilks, and Ray Horton to effectively challenge alleged racial discrimination and retaliation.
Flores, along with Wilks and Horton, filed lawsuits against several NFL teams, accusing the league of systemic racism in hiring practices, particularly regarding Black coaches. Flores' suit targets the Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, and Houston Texans, while Wilks focuses on the Arizona Cardinals and Horton on the Tennessee Titans. The plaintiffs argue that the NFL's culture is "rife with racism," specifically in its approach to promoting diversity among coaching staffs.
The case gained traction after a 2023 court ruling allowed some proceedings to be moved to arbitration, but Judge Caproni dismissed this as a "fatal flaw" in the NFL's argument. The judge emphasized that an arbitration process led by the league's leadership creates an uneven playing field, preventing plaintiffs from fairly pursuing their claims. This decision sets a significant precedent, challenging the NFL
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/13/2026