Brian Flores, the new defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings,
Image Credit : Google
3
is embroiled in a class-action lawsuit against the NFL and its teams.
Image Credit : Google
4
The lawsuit alleges racial discrimination in the hiring of coaches and front-office personnel.
Image Credit : Google
5
Flores filed the lawsuit after being fired by the Miami Dolphins following the 2021 season.
Image Credit : Google
6
Steve Wilks, the new defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, and other coaches have since joined the lawsuit.
Image Credit : Google
7
The NFL had hoped to settle the case through arbitration, but federal court judge Valerie Caproni denied their bid to compel arbitration.
Image Credit : Google
8
The judge ordered a pretrial conference between all parties on March 24.
Image Credit : Google
9
This means Flores’ claims can be heard in trial, while allegations from Wilks and fellow former NFL assistant Ray Horton will proceed through arbitration.
Image Credit : Google
10
The NFL had been trying to bring the case to arbitration,
Image Credit : Google
11
where any evidence presented that supported Flores and his co-plaintiffs’ claims would have been kept private.
Image Credit : Google
12
However, if the case goes to trial, the evidence will be made public.
Image Credit : Google
13
Several years ago, the NFL settled out of court with Colin Kaepernick after he claimed that the league and its teams colluded to keep him out of the NFL.
Image Credit : Google
14
The decision was likely based on the league not wanting evidence to be made public. In Flores’ case,
Image Credit : Google
15
his side is pleased that the claims of systematic discrimination against the NFL
Image Credit : Google
Image Credit : Google
16
and several teams will proceed in court and ultimately before a jury of his peers.