• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Law

Jon Gruden Files Response to NFL’s Appeal

  • Last year, a district judge twice ruled against the NFL’s motions to dismiss the lawsuit or compel arbitration.
  • Gruden sued the NFL seeking the balance of his 10-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2018.
Gruden Hearing
A.J. Perez/FOS

Jon Gruden’s attorney laid out a colorful example of why the former Las Vegas Raiders coach’s lawsuit against the NFL shouldn’t be shifted to an arbitration process overseen by Commissioner Roger Goodell. 

“If the Commissioner physically assaulted an individual who played football decades ago, the Commissioner could still compel arbitration of that individual’s civil claims on the same theories the NFL Parties present now,” Gruden’s attorney Adam Hosmer-Henner wrote in a Nevada State Supreme Court filing on Thursday. 

Last year, District Court Judge Nancy Allf twice ruled against the NFL’s motions to dismiss the lawsuit or compel arbitration in the case brought by Gruden over allegations the league was behind the leaked emails that led to his resignation as coach of the Raiders in October 2021. 

Gruden sued the NFL a month later, seeking the balance of his 10-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2018. Gruden settled with the Raiders, and the team is not a defendant in the case. 

The NFL has denied being the source of the emails obtained as part of the league’s first outside investigation of the Washington Commanders. Those emails between Gruden and then-Commanders exec Bruce Allen contained racist, misogynistic, and homophobic exchanges published in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.  

Those emails were sent between 2010 and 2018 when Gruden was an ESPN analyst, something Allf noted in a May hearing. 

“The emails were sent before he signed the contract [to become the Raiders’ head coach],” Allf said. 

Hosmer-Henner also wrote that the arbitration provision that was part of Gruden’s contract with the Raiders ceased when he resigned from the Raiders. 

“It would be preposterous for the NFL to continue to insist that Commissioner Goodell maintained any authority over him,” Hosmer-Henner wrote. 

After Allf ruled against the NFL again in October, the NFL filed a notice of appeal. A stay was issued as the Nevada State Supreme Court decides the case. 

While the emails came before the Raiders hired Gruden and the lawsuit was filed after Gruden was no longer under contract with the Raiders, NFL attorneys wrote in its appeal that he’s still subject to arbitration.

“Courts construe arbitration agreements with similar language broadly, such that even matters tangential to the agreement are subject to arbitration,” attorneys for the league wrote in a February appellate brief. “That standard is satisfied here because respondent alleges that appellants caused the termination of his coaching contract and seeks damages in the form of the benefits he lost under that contract.” 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Commanders’ $3.8B Stadium Deal in Jeopardy? Mayor Sounds the Alarm

Political tensions rise about delays in stadium funding approval.
exclusive

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.

$600M for Browns Stadium Sparks Cleveland Backlash, Possible Lawsuit

The awarding of public funds draws criticism and could bring a lawsuit.
Jun 10, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass during minicamp at their South Side facility.
opinion

Steelers Win-Now Mode Is Good News for NFL Media Partners

The conservative “Steeler Way” has finally adapted—and media partners are happy.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Dec 24, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before the game between the Browns and the New Orleans Saints at FirstEnergy Stadium
June 24, 2025

Unearthed NFL Arbitration Ruling Raises More Questions Than Answers

The NFL was cleared of collusion, but new questions have emerged.
Wimbledon
June 25, 2025

Players Suing Tennis Begin Negotiations With Grand Slams

They may add the Slams as defendants if talks fail in 90 days.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Apr 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of game three in the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
June 24, 2025

James Harden Sued for Negligence in Sexual Assault Case

Harden hosted the party where the alleged incident happened.
Jun 23, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park.
June 24, 2025

Tatis Sues Big League Advance for ‘Predatory’ Future Earnings Deal

Tatis would owe $34 million from his current deal alone.
Jul 7, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson (28) react after striking out during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Yankee Stadium.
June 23, 2025

Former Yankee Josh Donaldson Wins $222K in Lawsuit Against Landlord

Donaldson played the 2022 and 2023 seasons for the Yankees.
Jun 8, 2025; Brooklyn, Michigan, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates with his team, holding up three fingers, one for each of his victories at Michigan International Speedway, after winning the FireKeepers Casino 400.
June 18, 2025

Judge Urges Michael Jordan, Co-Plaintiffs to Settle With NASCAR

Jordan’s racing team filed a co-suit in October alleging antitrust practices.