Judge Rules Brian Flores' NFL Discrimination Case Open to Court

A federal judge ruled that Brian Flores' racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL can proceed in open court, overturning a previous arbitration order. The ruling asserts that arbitration under NFL control is flawed, as it would prevent Flores and other plaintiffs from effectively pursuing their rights.

In a significant judicial decision, a federal judge has ruled that the racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Brian Flores, the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, against the National Football League (NFL) will be heard in an open court. This ruling overturns a previous directive for the case to proceed in closed-door arbitration controlled by the league.

U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni critiqued the NFL's control over the arbitration process, describing it as a 'fatal flaw' that hindered Flores and the other plaintiffs from effectively vindicating their legal rights. This decision aligns with an August 2025 federal appeals court ruling that invalidated the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's authority to arbitrate such disputes.

Neither the NFL nor the legal representatives for the defending teams have commented on the ruling. Flores, who brought the class-action lawsuit in February 2022, alleged systemic racism in hiring practices for coaching and management roles within the league, citing his own experiences of being used in 'sham' interviews to fulfill diversity quotas.

(With inputs from agencies.)