Supreme Court Gives Brian Flores a Major Win in Lawsuit Linked to Denver Broncos and others

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores’ four-year-long issue against the league took a major step forward on May 26. The United States Supreme Court refused to intervene in the NFL’s legal matter against Flores over a discrimination lawsuit.

The justices rejected the league’s appeal to have the case routed through its arbitration process instead of open court in New York. Justice Brett Kavanaugh denied the request. 

According to The Hill, Flores filed his lawsuit against the NFL in February 2022 after being fired by the Miami Dolphins, accusing the league of systemic racial discrimination in hiring practices, particularly toward Black coaches.

The lawsuit named the NFL, along with the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, and Dolphins, while later drawing support from coaches Steve Wilks and Ray Horton with related claims.

Flores specifically alleged that Denver conducted a “sham” head-coaching interview process simply to satisfy the Rooney Rule rather than seriously considering him for the job.

According to the lawsuit, Flores said the Miami Dolphins fired him without adequate reasons, while the other teams did not seriously consider him for head coaching positions.

The league has denied all accusations and argued that disputes like this should stay inside the NFL’s private arbitration system instead of going to court.

Brian Flores Challenges NFL Arbitration System in Ongoing Case 

The NFL pushed hard to move the case into arbitration, rather than through the court system, but lower courts have sided with the petitioner. 

According to a story by Yahoo Sports, 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.

But things changed after the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the NFL in August 2025.

The Second Circuit also ruled that the NFL Constitution’s arbitration clause could not be enforced, arguing that it handed too much unilateral control to the commissioner and failed to meet basic standards of fairness.

The judges even described the arbitration process as “unworthy even of the name of arbitration.”

That ruling became even more important this week after the Supreme Court chose not to review it. Because of that ruling, Flores’ lawsuit will proceed in open court rather than through the NFL’s internal arbitration system.

According to a report by Reuters and USA Today, Flores’ lawyers argued employers should not be allowed to force workers into discrimination hearings run by their own leadership.

They noted the appeals court’s decision aligns with several other rulings from lower courts across the country. 

Flores has remained active throughout the process, continuing to coach in Minnesota while pursuing the lawsuit.