NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York concluded Friday that Brian Flores, Steve Wilks and Ray Horton’s ongoing discrimination case against the NFL will proceed in open court.
Four years ago, Flores sued the NFL, alleging that the league was “riddled with racism” when it came to its coaching hiring practices. Wilks and Horton joined the lawsuit after Flores’ initial lawsuit.
“The court’s decision recognizes that an arbitration forum in which the defendant’s own CEO decides the case would strip employees of their rights under the law,” attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor and David E. Gottlieb said, via ESPN.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches during the fourth quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 4, 2026. (Matt Blewett/Image Images)
“It is long overdue for the NFL to recognize this and finally provide a fair, neutral and transparent forum to address these issues.”
The NFL fought to take the case to private arbitration, in which commissioner Roger Goodell would have served as judge.
PATRIOTS STAR STEFON DIGGS PLEDS NOT GUILTY TO CRIMINAL STRANGULATION CHARGES DAYS AFTER SUPER BOWL
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches before a game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on December 29, 2024. (Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images)
Flores sued the NFL, the Miami Dolphins, the New York Giants, the 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 frequently interview black head coaching candidates to comply with the Rooney rule, conducting “fake interviews.” The Rooney rule requires teams to interview two outside minority candidates for leadership positions.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores during a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle on Nov. 30, 2025. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Wilks said he was treated as a “bridge coach” during his one-year stint as head coach with the Cardinals and was not given enough opportunities to succeed in a complaint obtained by Pak Gazette Digital.
Horton alleged he was part of a “sham” interview process when he interviewed for the Titans job in 2016.
