Brian Flores, the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, won a major victory Friday in his race discrimination lawsuit against the NFL. Judge Valerie Caproni of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled that all claims can proceed in open court rather than through the league’s arbitration process. The decision directly challenges the NFL’s attempt to keep the case out of public view.
Flores filed the lawsuit in February 2022 after the Miami Dolphins fired him, despite consecutive winning seasons. He accused the league and multiple teams of discriminatory hiring practices.
Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks and longtime assistant Ray Horton joined the case as co-plaintiffs.
The ruling strikes down the NFL’s push for private arbitration where Commissioner Roger Goodell would serve as arbitrator. ESPN reported the decision affirms that such a process lacks independence. A pretrial conference is scheduled for April 3.
The court ruled today in Brian Flores, Steve Wilks and Ray Horton’s ongoing discrimination case against the NFL that all the coaches’ respective claims that had previously been compelled to arbitration now can proceed in open court.
“The court’s decision recognizes that an…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 13, 2026
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Judge Finds NFL Arbitration Process Fundamentally Flawed
The court’s decision dissected the NFL’s Dispute Resolution Procedural Guidelines. Caproni found them insufficient for resolving discrimination claims.
According to USA TODAY, the ruling stated:
“The Second Circuit concluded that Flores’ agreement to submit his claims to the discretion of the designated arbitrator, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, provides for arbitration in name only and, accordingly, lacks the protection of the FAA (Federal Arbitration Act).”
“The NFL’s unilateral control over the arbitration process is a ‘fatal flaw’ that makes it ‘arbitration in name only.”
Caproni wrote that Goodell’s role as both the league’s chief executive and potential arbitrator created an impossible conflict. The process would strip employees of legal rights rather than protect them.
Attorneys Celebrate Win as Case Moves Toward Trial
Minnesota Vikings Brian Flores
Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches practices during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Flores’ legal team issued a statement celebrating the ruling. Douglas H. Wigdor and David E. Gottlieb, partners at Wigdor LLP, addressed the decision’s broader implications.
“The court’s decision recognizes that an arbitration forum in which the defendant’s own chief executive gets to decide the case would strip employees of their rights under the law,” they told USA TODAY Sports. “It is long overdue for the NFL to recognize this and finally provide a fair, neutral and transparent forum for these issues to be addressed.”
The original lawsuit alleged that the Giants conducted a sham interview with Flores. This claim gained credibility after Patriots head coach Bill Belichick mistakenly texted Flores congratulations before his interview. The text was meant for Brian Daboll, who got the job.
Flores spent three seasons leading Miami to a 24-25 record with two straight winning seasons before his dismissal. The NFL has not responded to Friday’s ruling.