• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, January 15, 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

Mar 5, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta smiles during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center.

Cubs, Mavs, Rockets Owners Co-Hosting Trump Reception With Zuckerberg

Owners of three sports teams are teaming up for an inauguration party.
Apr 7, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A general view of fans outside of Truist Park before the game on Opening Day between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.

Philly Rips Page From Rival Playbook With Sports Complex Revamp

Philadelphia’s mayor frequently touts the influential Braves development.
Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) reacts after making a catch against Green Bay Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine (24) in an NFC wild card game

Eagles Fan Barred from Lincoln Financial Field in Latest Instance of Bad..

There have been serious consequences recently for sports fans caught misbehaving.

Featured Today

Race leader and eventual stage winner Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) in the final kilometer up the finish climb of stage 19 from Logroño to Alto De Moncalvillo (ESP/168km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 6 September. // Kristof Ramon / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202409060905 // Usage for editorial use only //Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) congratulated by teammate Florian LIPOWITZ (DEU/RedBull - BORA - hansgrohe) after a very strong stage 13 from Lugo to Puerto De Ancares (ESP/171km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 30 August

Red Bull Is on a Hot Streak in Sports. Can It Win..

The company is betting on a big future in cycling.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) knocks the ball out of the hands of Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) and returns the fumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025.
January 11, 2025

College Football Is Closer Than Ever to Perfecting the Championship Process

Despite valid criticisms, the first expanded Playoff is working.
Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman (R) reacts on the sidelines in the final minute against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome.
January 9, 2025

Amid Realignment Mania, Notre Dame Stayed Independent. It Paid Off

How the CFP semifinal-bound Fighting Irish made their business model work.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a first-down catch against Oregon during the 2025 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
January 3, 2025

The Biggest Changes to College Sports Are Coming in 2025

Sweeping developments could affect the college sports foundation this year.
Don Garber

NASL Trial Could Get in Underbelly of American Soccer

NASL alleges an illegal conspiracy between MLS and U.S. Soccer.
Nov 30, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Kyren Lacy (2) runs after a catch against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first quarter at Tiger Stadium.
January 10, 2025

LSU Wideout Kyren Lacy Declared for NFL Draft Days After Alleged Hit-and-Run

Louisiana State Police issued an arrest warrant for Lacy on Friday.
Caitlin Clark
January 13, 2025

Caitlin Clark Is Latest Women’s Basketball Star With Alleged Stalker 

Police arrested a Texas man, saying he sent Clark dozens of threats.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Vince McMahon
January 10, 2025

Vince McMahon Settles for $1.7 Million With Federal Investigators in Hush Money..

He avoided admitting or denying the SEC’s findings.
President Joe Biden is pictured at the Oval Office during an interview with USA TODAY Washington Bureau chief Susan Page
January 9, 2025

Federal Judge Strikes Down Biden’s Title IX Interpretation

The rule would have granted protections to transgender students.
Running shoes on the ground
January 8, 2025

Brooklyn Half Marathon Wins Battle Against Brooklyn Half Marathon

One event is changing its name after a lawsuit and settlement.