What Is the Brian Flores Lawsuit?
The Brian Flores lawsuit is a federal racial discrimination case against the NFL and six of its teams, filed in 2022 by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores. It is styled Flores v. National Football League, No. 1:22-cv-00871 (VEC), in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Flores filed the complaint on February 1, 2022, as a class action. Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks and longtime assistant coach Ray Horton later joined him as plaintiffs. Flores now works as the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, and the NFL denies the discrimination claims.
Why Was the Brian Flores Lawsuit Filed?
The Brian Flores lawsuit was filed because Flores says the NFL and its teams discriminated against Black coaches in hiring and firing decisions. He sued on February 1, 2022, shortly after the Miami Dolphins fired him following a 24-25 record over three seasons.
The complaint centers on the Rooney Rule, a 2003 NFL policy that requires teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching jobs. Flores has said some teams treat the rule as a box-checking exercise rather than a real chance at the job. The NFL says it is committed to equitable employment practices.
Flores filed as a class action because he says the problem reaches beyond his own case. The complaint seeks to represent Black coaches and executives who allege similar treatment.
What Harms Does the Brian Flores Lawsuit Allege?
The Brian Flores lawsuit alleges five distinct harms, each tied to a different part of the NFL's hiring and employment process. The plaintiffs describe them as products of systemic race discrimination, and the NFL denies that description. Each item below defines the term first and then states what the plaintiffs allege.
Discriminatory Failure to Hire
A discriminatory failure to hire is a legal claim that an employer rejected a qualified candidate because of a protected trait such as race.
Flores alleges that the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Houston Texans did not hire him as head coach because he is Black. Those claims were the first to reach open court, since Flores had no employment contract with those three teams that could send them to arbitration.
Sham Interviews
A sham interview is a job interview held only to satisfy a diversity rule when the employer has already chosen another candidate.
Flores alleges that the Giants and Broncos interviewed him only to comply with the Rooney Rule. For the Giants, the complaint says then-New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick mistakenly disclosed in a January 24, 2022 text exchange that the team intended to hire Brian Daboll. The Giants announced Daboll's hiring two days after interviewing Flores.
Flores also alleges that Broncos executives arrived an hour late to his 2019 interview and appeared to have been drinking heavily the night before. The Broncos call that allegation blatantly false. Ray Horton makes a similar claim against the Tennessee Titans over a 2016 head coach search.
Race-Based Termination
Race-based termination is a legal claim that an employer fired an employee because of race rather than job performance.
Flores alleges that the Dolphins fired him after the 2021 season because of his race, even though the team had posted winning records in consecutive seasons. The Dolphins said they vehemently deny any allegation of racial discrimination.
Steve Wilks makes a related claim against the Arizona Cardinals. He alleges the team fired him after one season as head coach and viewed him only as a one-year bridge in 2018.
Retaliation
Retaliation is a legal claim that someone was punished for complaining about discrimination or for filing a discrimination lawsuit.
Flores alleges that the league and its teams have retaliated against him for suing. In May 2026, he told the court in an amended complaint and a letter that the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell were using the arbitration process to retaliate against him.
His lawyers later pointed to an unsealed Korn Ferry candidate profile as further evidence of retaliation, because it listed his lawsuit as a possible distraction. The sources reviewed report no court ruling on the retaliation allegations.
Disparate Impact
Disparate impact is a Title VII theory that a neutral-looking employment practice unlawfully disadvantages a protected group, even without proof of intent.
By March 2026, the plaintiffs were adding a Title VII count under the disparate impact theory to their complaint. The count waited on the long fight over arbitration and on an EEOC right-to-sue letter, which issued in June 2024.
A plaintiff using this theory can recover without proving intent if a race-neutral policy has a discriminatory effect in practice. The sources reviewed report no ruling on this count.
What Is the Current Status of the Brian Flores Lawsuit?
The current status of the Brian Flores lawsuit is active pretrial litigation in federal court, with discovery disputes under way and no trial date reported. As of mid-October 2026, the next marker is the judge's decision on motions to dismiss.
Flores v. National Football League
Flores v. National Football League is a single proceeding before Judge Valerie Caproni in the Southern District of New York. Flores, Steve Wilks and Ray Horton sue the NFL, the Dolphins, Giants, Broncos, Texans, Cardinals and Titans. Wigdor LLP and Elefterakis, Elefterakis & Panek represent the plaintiffs.
| Court | U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York |
| Case Number | 1:22-cv-00871 (VEC) |
| Filed | February 1, 2022 |
| Judge | Valerie Caproni |
| Plaintiffs | Brian Flores, Steve Wilks, Ray Horton |
| Defendants | NFL, Dolphins, Giants, Broncos, Texans, Cardinals, Titans |
| Appeals | Second Circuit No. 23-1185 decided August 14, 2025; Supreme Court review denied May 26, 2026 |
| Current Stage | Motions to dismiss and discovery disputes; appeal by three teams reported pending |
The Second Circuit held on August 14, 2025, in an opinion by Judge José Cabranes, that the NFL Constitution's clause letting Commissioner Roger Goodell arbitrate disputes was unenforceable. The panel called it an agreement for arbitration in name only, because it would send claims to the principal executive of an adverse party. The Second Circuit later denied the NFL's request for rehearing, and the Supreme Court declined to hear the NFL's appeal on May 26, 2026, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh saying he would have heard the case.
On February 13, 2026, Judge Caproni ruled that the claims involving the Dolphins, Cardinals and Titans, along with related claims against the NFL, would also proceed in open court. A new appeal by the Titans, Cardinals and Dolphins was reported pending in October 2026.
Is There a Settlement in the Brian Flores Lawsuit?
No. The Brian Flores lawsuit has not settled, and the sources reviewed report no settlement, no settlement amount and no trial date.
Coverage of the complaint describes the relief sought mainly as court-ordered changes to NFL hiring practices, and it does not state a dollar figure. Any damages would depend on what the court finds, and only the court can resolve the merits.
If the plaintiffs prevail, they ask the court to order changes that include incentives for teams to hire Black coaches and general managers, and written explanations for hiring and termination decisions. Whether any such relief is appropriate depends on the court's findings.
Brian Flores Lawsuit Updates
Here are the latest Brian Flores lawsuit updates, covering new court filings, rulings, and case-count reports as they're confirmed. No settlement date has been set as of October 2026; the Flores v. NFL discrimination case in the Southern District of New York remains in active pretrial litigation. Every verified development is listed in the timeline below, in order.
Full Brian Flores Lawsuit Timeline
Reporting Details the NFL's Objection to Discovery Requests
Reporting on October 14, 2026 said Flores's lawyers have asked multiple NFL teams for roughly 24 years of hiring and employment documents. The NFL's lawyers have called those requests "punishingly overbroad."
Court Unseals Korn Ferry Memo on Flores
The Southern District of New York unsealed a Korn Ferry candidate profile titled "Brian Flores, Strengths and Weaknesses" on October 13, 2026. Korn Ferry prepared it for the Las Vegas Raiders during their 2024 head coach search, and the Raiders never interviewed Flores. Flores's lawyers say the profile relies on racial stereotypes, including a passage praising him as polished despite growing up in Brownsville, Brooklyn, which one lawyer called a racially offensive way to describe a Black man as articulate. A magistrate judge had rejected Korn Ferry's arguments for keeping the memo sealed, and Korn Ferry, which is not a defendant, did not appeal to the district judge.
Filings Show Subpoenas to 25 NFL Teams
Court filings reported on June 4, 2026 showed that Flores's lawyers served subpoenas on 25 NFL teams and more than 1,000 discovery requests seeking league-wide hiring records. The NFL, Broncos, Giants and Texans objected that the requests were overbroad, and Judge Valerie Caproni approved a briefing schedule for motions to dismiss that ran through late July and August.
Supreme Court Declines the NFL's Arbitration Appeal
The Supreme Court declined on May 26, 2026 to review the Second Circuit's ruling in the Flores case that the NFL cannot force Flores's claims against the Broncos, Giants and Texans into arbitration overseen by Commissioner Roger Goodell. Justice Brett Kavanaugh said he would have heard the case, and the denial lets the claims proceed in federal court.
Flores Tells the Court the NFL Is Retaliating
Brian Flores told the Southern District of New York on May 21, 2026, in a filing that included an amended complaint and a letter, that the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell were using the arbitration process to retaliate against him for suing.
Plaintiffs Add a Title VII Disparate-Impact Count and the Court Denies a Stay
Reporting as of March 22, 2026 said Brian Flores, Steve Wilks and Ray Horton were adding a Title VII disparate-impact count to their complaint after receiving an EEOC right-to-sue letter in June 2024. The trial court also denied the NFL's request to pause the Flores case while the Supreme Court considered the arbitration appeal.
Judge Caproni Sends All Flores Claims to Open Court
Judge Valerie Caproni ruled on February 13, 2026 that the claims in the Flores case involving the Dolphins, Cardinals and Titans, plus related claims against the NFL, would proceed in open court rather than arbitration before Commissioner Roger Goodell. The ruling followed the Second Circuit's August 2025 decision and reversed her earlier order that had compelled arbitration of those claims.
Second Circuit Denies the NFL's Request for Rehearing
The Second Circuit denied the NFL's request for en banc reconsideration of its Flores arbitration ruling on October 6, 2025. The NFL said it respectfully disagreed with the panel and would seek further review.
Second Circuit Rules the NFL's Arbitration Clause Unenforceable
The Second Circuit ruled on August 14, 2025, in Flores v. N.Y. Football Giants, No. 23-1185, that the NFL Constitution's arbitration clause provided for arbitration in name only. Judge José Cabranes wrote the opinion, which kept Flores's claims against the Broncos, Giants, Texans and the NFL in federal court.
NFL Names Peter Harvey as Arbitrator for the Arbitrable Claims
The NFL told the Second Circuit in a September 24, 2024 letter that Commissioner Roger Goodell had designated former New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey as the arbitrator for the part of the Flores case then headed to arbitration.
Judge Caproni Declines to Change Her Split Arbitration Ruling
Judge Valerie Caproni denied both sides' motions for reconsideration in the Flores case in July 2023, leaving in place her March 2023 order that split the claims between arbitration and open court.
Judge Caproni Splits the Case Between Arbitration and Court
Judge Valerie Caproni ruled in March 2023 that Flores's claims against the Broncos, Giants and Texans, which had no employment contracts with him, could proceed in court. She sent the claims involving the Dolphins, Cardinals and Titans, and related claims against the NFL, to arbitration.
Flores Files the Lawsuit Against the NFL, Dolphins, Giants and Broncos
Brian Flores filed Flores v. National Football League in the Southern District of New York on February 1, 2022, as a class action alleging racial discrimination in NFL hiring. The complaint also alleged that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offered Flores $100,000 per loss in 2019, and Steve Wilks and Ray Horton joined as plaintiffs in later filings.
What Have the NFL and Its Teams Said About the Brian Flores Lawsuit?
The NFL has denied the racial discrimination claims in the Brian Flores lawsuit and said it would defend itself. It first argued that the case lacked legal merit or belonged in arbitration, and it told the Supreme Court that the Second Circuit's ruling was "unprecedented."
Several teams have also responded publicly. The Dolphins said they vehemently deny the discrimination allegations. The Giants said they were pleased with the process that led to Brian Daboll's hiring and that Flores was in the conversation until the eleventh hour. The Broncos said the allegations about their 2019 interview were blatantly false.
Flores also alleges that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offered him $100,000 for every loss during the 2019 season so the team could secure a higher draft pick. The Dolphins said any implication that they acted against the integrity of the game was incorrect.
Is the Brian Flores Lawsuit the Same Case as the Claims by Steve Wilks and Ray Horton?
Yes. The Brian Flores lawsuit is the same case as the claims by Steve Wilks and Ray Horton, who joined it as co-plaintiffs rather than filing separate suits. The table shows which team each plaintiff names and what each alleges.
| Plaintiff | Team Defendants | Core Allegation |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Flores | Dolphins, Giants, Broncos, Texans | Fired by the Dolphins and not hired by the other three teams because of race |
| Steve Wilks | Arizona Cardinals | Fired after one season as head coach and treated as a one-year bridge in 2018 |
| Ray Horton | Tennessee Titans | Given a sham head coach interview in 2016 after the team had already chosen Mike Mularkey |
The Korn Ferry memo is evidence unsealed in this case, not a second lawsuit, and Korn Ferry is not a defendant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Brian Flores lawsuit about?
The Brian Flores lawsuit is about alleged racial discrimination in NFL hiring and employment. Flores sued the NFL and six teams, and Steve Wilks and Ray Horton joined as plaintiffs.
Is the Brian Flores lawsuit a class action?
The Brian Flores lawsuit was filed as a class action on behalf of Black coaches and executives, but the sources reviewed report no class certification ruling. It is not a multidistrict litigation, and there is no claims process for joining it.
Did the Supreme Court rule on the Brian Flores lawsuit?
The Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of the Brian Flores lawsuit. On May 26, 2026 it declined to review the Second Circuit's arbitration ruling, so the case continues in federal court.
Has the Brian Flores lawsuit settled?
The Brian Flores lawsuit has not settled, based on the sources reviewed. The plaintiffs seek court-ordered changes to NFL hiring practices, and no trial date has been reported.
What is the Korn Ferry memo in the Brian Flores lawsuit?
The Korn Ferry memo in the Brian Flores lawsuit is a candidate profile prepared for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024 and unsealed on October 13, 2026. Flores's lawyers say it relies on racial stereotypes, and Korn Ferry is not a defendant.
Can I join the Brian Flores lawsuit?
No. The Brian Flores lawsuit is brought by three named plaintiffs against the NFL and six teams, and the sources reviewed describe no claim form or open enrollment for joining it. Only a qualified attorney can say whether anything changes if a class is ever certified.