Supreme Court won’t intervene in discrimination suit led by Black ex-head coach Flores against NFL
The short version
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The story
2026-05-26T15:19:13Z
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to intervene in a discrimination lawsuit led by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores against the NFL, allowing the case to proceed toward trial.
The justices rebuffed an appeal from the league, which wanted the case handled through its arbitration process rather than open court in New York. Justice Brett Kavanaugh dissented from the decision not to hear the case.
The Supreme Court is seen in Washington, Monday, May 18, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Supreme Court is seen in Washington, Monday, May 18, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Flores, who’s Black, sued the league and three teams in February 2022, alleging the league was “rife with racism” regarding its hiring practices when it comes to Black coaches. He was later joined in the lawsuit by fellow Black coaches Steve Wilks and Ray Horton.
Flores, who was fired by the Dolphins shortly before the suit was filed, is now the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn, File)
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn, File)
The NFL has argued Flores should go through arbitration rather than the legal system, but lower courts have sided with the plaintiffs. The league said it respected the Supreme Court decision, which allows lower-court rulings to stay in place, but is “fully prepared to defend ourselves as this matter proceeds.”
David Gottlieb and Douglas Wigdor, attorneys for the plaintiffs, said they were pleased with the decision. “The NFL must now accept that its commissioner cannot be the arbitrator over discrimination claims against the league and its teams. We look forward to litigating these claims in court,” they said in a statement.
Flores was fired after posting a 24-25 record over three years without a playoff appearance. The Dolphins did have back-to-back winning seasons before Flores was dismissed.
Flores sued the NFL as well as the Denver Broncos, the New York Giants and the Houston Texans. He interviewed with the Broncos in 2019 and the Giants and Texans in 2022.
Wilks, who was fired as the New York Jets’ defensive coordinator in December, joined the lawsuit by claiming the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 hired him as a “bridge coach” — promoting him to interim coach after they fired another coach but then passing over him for the full-time role. He said the Cardinals didn’t provide him with a realistic chance to succeed.
Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Steve Wilks walks on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Steve Wilks walks on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Horton, who last coached in the NFL in 2019, alleged the Tennessee Titans didn’t offer him a genuine interview for the head coaching position in 2016.
Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Ray Horton, during an organized team activity at the team’s NFL football training facility, June 10, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Ray Horton, during an organized team activity at the team’s NFL football training facility, June 10, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
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Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak in New York contributed to this story.
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Follow the AP’s coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court and the NFL at https://apnews.com/hub/nfl.
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How other outlets covered this
Compare allAlto found this story at 3 outlets. Same event, different framing — compare the headlines.
- Google NewsNFL, Brian Flores’s lawyers issue comments following Supreme Court’s decision - NBC Sports3 months ago
- APSupreme Court won’t intervene in discrimination suit led by Black ex-head coach Flores against NFL3 months ago
- Washington ExaminerSupreme Court spurns NFL case alleging racial discrimination against black coaches3 months ago
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The Story At A Glance
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- • The Supreme Court declined to move Brian Flores's discrimination lawsuit against the NFL into private arbitration.
- • The ruling allows the case to proceed through the open federal court system in New York.
- • Justice Brett Kavanaugh dissented from the decision to deny the league's appeal.
Former coach Brian Flores and fellow coaches Steve Wilks and Ray Horton allege the NFL uses discriminatory hiring practices. The legal battle focuses on whether the league can force these claims into internal arbitration overseen by the Commissioner.
Christian Perspective
True justice requires transparency and accountability rather than closed-door proceedings managed by those in power. While we must treat all individuals with dignity, the focus on racial grievance often distracts from the biblical truth of individual merit and character. We should prioritize the restoration of meritocracy over the promotion of identity-based litigation.
Implications
This decision signals a shift toward using the legal system to challenge institutional hierarchies. It may encourage more litigation based on social justice frameworks rather than objective performance. This trend risks further destabilizing the natural order of leadership and organizational authority.
Broader Trends
This case reflects the ongoing push by progressive activists to use the courts to dismantle traditional institutional structures. It aligns with a broader cultural movement that prioritizes group identity over individual achievement and competence. Such
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