Jon Gruden is pursuing legal action to determine whether NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league leaked emails that led to his resignation as Las Vegas Raiders coach in 2021. Gruden claims the leaked emails caused the Raiders to force him out when the team was performing well at 3-1, calling the league’s actions a disruption to the season and expressing a desire to prevent similar situations for others.
Nevada Supreme Court Blocks NFL Arbitration, Strengthening Protections for Former Employees’ Rights
The Nevada Supreme Court recently sided with Gruden in a 5-2 ruling, blocking the NFL from forcing his complaint into arbitration overseen by Goodell. While the court did not rule on whether the emails themselves were leaked, it found the NFL’s attempt to mandate arbitration “unconscionable” and ruled that former employees are not bound by the NFL Constitution’s arbitration provisions.
Jon Gruden (NFL)Gruden welcomed the ruling, stating it prevents the NFL from covering up wrongdoing. His attorney, Adam Hosmer-Henner, described the decision as a broader victory for employees facing unfair arbitration. The NFL announced plans to petition for a rehearing, with the U.S. Supreme Court as a potential next step. Neither Gruden nor his lawyer commented on possible settlement talks.
Supreme Court Ruling Limits NFL Power in Arbitration and Protects Former Employees’ Rights
The ruling underscores limits on the NFL’s ability to control disputes involving itself, particularly when the Commissioner is named as a defendant. The court clarified that allowing Goodell to oversee arbitration in such cases would grant excessive power and undermine fairness, emphasizing that the NFL Constitution does not apply to former employees like Gruden, whose controversial emails were sent during his ESPN tenure.
Gruden’s lawsuit alleges the league pressured Raiders owner Mark Davis to fire him by leaking offensive emails. Legal proceedings have spanned multiple courts, with the recent Supreme Court decision seen as a landmark for employee rights and transparency. The ruling strengthens Gruden’s position in holding the NFL accountable and opens the door for potential further legal remedies.
