Few lawsuits have grabbed the attention of both sports fans and legal scholars like Brian Flores’ discrimination case against the NFL. The case is about more than one man’s career; it touches on diversity in coaching, the scope of league power and the limits of arbitration agreements in employment law.

Here is how Flores’ career evolved into a headline-making legal battle:

The lawsuit draws directly from these stages. Flores alleges minority coaches are often interviewed to “check a box” rather than seriously considered, and that retaliation can follow those who speak out.

Flores’ 2022 lawsuit made several bold claims:

By filing as a putative class action, Flores positioned the case as a challenge to systemic discrimination in NFL hiring.

When sued, the NFL often cites its constitution and bylaws, which grant the commissioner sweeping authority to interpret policies, discipline employees, hire counsel and, critically, act as the final decision-maker in disputes.

The league and the named teams........

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