Dolphins owner Stephen Ross denies Brian Flores' 'false, malicious and defamatory' allegations

In the class action lawsuit filed on Tuesday, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores alleges Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offered him $100,000 per loss for the 2019 NFL season and that his relationship with Ross suffered after Miami won so much that year the team couldn't draft quarterback Joe Burrow, who ultimately landed with the Cincinnati Bengals. 

That story took an interesting turn Wednesday when a report surfaced a witness can back Flores' story and also that the coach's legal team has messages from general manager Chris Grier as evidence. Late Wednesday night, Ross responded to the allegations via a statement shared by ESPN and other media outlets. 

"With regards to the allegations being made by Brian Flores, I am a man of honor and integrity and cannot let them stand without responding," Ross said. "I take great personal exception to these malicious attacks, and the truth must be known. His allegations are false, malicious and defamatory. We understand there are media reports stating that the NFL intends to investigate his claims, and we will cooperate fully. I welcome that investigation and I am eager to defend my personal integrity, and the integrity and values of the entire Miami Dolphins organization, from these baseless, unfair and disparaging claims."

Both the NFL and the Dolphins denied Flores' allegations on Tuesday. 

"That was a conversation about not doing as much as we needed to do in order to win football games," Flores explained during an appearance on ESPN's "Get Up" on Wednesday morning. "Take a flight, go on vacation, I'll give you $100,000 per loss — those were his exact words. I deal in truth, I tell the players this, as well. I'm gonna give you good news, bad news — but it's going to be honest.

"To disrespect the game like that, trust was lost, and there were certainly some strained relationships, and ultimately, I think that was my demise in Miami."