In its latest filing in the Brian Flores lawsuit, the NFL is not only pushing back against allegations that the league and teams used racially discriminatory hiring practices, but also arguing there should be no public case at all.

The league is requesting the dispute be settled in private arbitration rather than in court — in a potential trial — according to a letter submitted on Thursday that Front Office Sports reviewed. 

The league is also asking that the suit be dismissed “for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.”

• The league detailed its intention to file the arbitration request, and in doing so also requested that any discovery period be delayed.
• During the discovery process, previously private details could be revealed in public documents — something the NFL seems intent on avoiding.

Under Flores, who is Black, the Dolphins went 24-25 in three seasons, winning eight of their final nine games in 2021. Miami fired Flores a day after the season ended. He’s since been hired as the Steelers’ senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach.

Flores first filed a lawsuit alleging discriminatory hiring practices in February. Since then, former Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks and assistant Ray Horton have joined as well.

More Coaching Controversies

As the lawsuit continues, the NFL is in the midst of yet another investigation: It has been looking into claims made by former Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson that the team paid him to tank — intentionally lose games in order to improve the Browns’ draft position.

Earlier this week, the league confirmed that it’s close to wrapping up the Browns investigation.

FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, has dropped its bid to be a 2026 World Cup site. 

The Sport & Entertainment Corporation of Maryland announced the Washington, D.C., area and Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium — home of the Baltimore Ravens — will run a joint campaign to host matches instead.

The Washington Commanders play at FedEx Field, which opened in 1997 and cost around $250 million to build. It was one of the older stadiums vying to become a host, but has plenty of experience on soccer’s biggest stage.

• Two years after FedEx Field opened, it hosted matches for the 1999 women’s World Cup.
• Three years before FedEx Field’s debut, Washington, D.C., hosted games during the 1994 men’s World Cup at RFK Stadium. Almost 30 years later, the building is set to be demolished.

Twenty-three North American stadiums remain in the running, including 17 in the U.S., three in Mexico, and three in Canada. It’s the first time the tournament will have 48 nations competing and three co-hosts.

FIFA wanted to name selection sites in mid-May but pushed back the announcement for at least one month.

Buzzin’ Baltimore

The merged World Cup campaign comes weeks after the Maryland State legislature passed an initiative committing $1.2 billion to Camden Yards Sports Complex — home of the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens. 

The funding will be split evenly between the teams, giving M&T Bank Stadium $600 million. The site opened in 1998 and cost $220 million to build, and the Ravens have since invested $230 million in upgrades.

Tennessee lawmakers approved a record $52.8 billion budget on Thursday, including $500 million in bonds for a new Tennessee Titans stadium.

Slated to open for the 2026 season, the 1.7 million-square-foot, domed stadium — which could host major sporting events, including a future Super Bowl — is estimated to cost between $1.9 billion and $2.2 billion. As of August, the Titans were valued at $2.6 billion by Forbes.

• The Adams family, owners of the team, will contribute $700 million to the venue. In December 2020, Susie Adams Smith sold her one-third stake to family members, increasing Amy Adams Strunk’s ownership to 50%.
• Metro Nashville will add another $700 million to the state’s $500 million.
• The funds will require $55 million in annual payments.

The Titans previously considered upgrades at Nissan Stadium but also looked at building a new home due to their rising costs. The team’s lease requires the city to pay for maintenance.

Mixed Reviews

The stadium was initially left out of budget appropriations, but the Senate later agreed on a budget that had already passed in the House. 

While some lawmakers criticized the budget — and even proposed amendments — others applauded it. 

Rep. Jason Zachary emphasized the reported economic impact of the stadium, cited the Titans’ charitable work, and provided confidence that the $4 billion-$6 billion mixed-use development around the stadium — funded by the team — would have a positive impact.