The NFL is the target of another workplace investigation — and this time, it’s not just about the league’s handling of the Washington Commanders. 

On Thursday, the attorneys general in California and New York announced a joint probe of the NFL that will examine if the league violated federal and state employment discrimination laws.

“We have serious concerns about the NFL’s role in creating an extremely hostile and detrimental work environment,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said. 

New York Attorney General Letitia James added, “No person should ever have to endure harassment, discrimination, or abuse in the workplace.”

The news release announcing the probe listed the reasons for the investigation. 

• A former director for NFL Enterprises filed a lawsuit in California last month alleging she was retaliated against for raising concerns of “pervasive sexism” to human resources before being laid off last year. 
• A former NFL Network wardrobe stylist’s 2017 lawsuit led to the firings of Marshall Faulk, Warren Sapp, and Ike Taylor. Donovan McNabb and Eric Davis, who were also accused of harassment in the lawsuit from their time at NFL Network, were terminated by ESPN. 
• How the league handled the Commanders’ hostile workplace allegations that were the focal point of an investigation by the House Oversight Committee that concluded in December. 

In the statement, the two attorneys general stated that they will use their authority “to seek information from the NFL regarding allegations of gender pay disparities in compensation, harassment, and gender and race discrimination.” 

“Our policies are intended not only to comply with all applicable laws but to foster a workplace free from harassment, intimidation, and discrimination,” read a statement by the NFL. “We take these matters seriously and will fully cooperate with the attorneys general.”

The NFL responded to an inquiry from James after she inquired about the the league’s handling of the Commanders’ toxic workplace issues. In a six-page response last June, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote that those within the league “recognize our powerful standing as a world leader in sports and entertainment, and embrace our responsibility to lead by example.”

The investigation was lauded by Lisa Banks, whose firm represents more than 40 Commanders employees.

“From my perspective, it’s always good when a large entity like the NFL is held accountable for not only fostering a hostile work environment, but in the case of the Commanders, covering it up,” Banks told Front Office Sports.

University of Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon has been fired amid an inquiry into suspicious betting activity surrounding the team.

Bohannon, who has been Alabama’s head coach since 2017, was terminated for “among other things, violating the standards, duties, and responsibilities expected of University employees,” the university said Thursday, citing an ongoing review.

Multiple outlets report that the scope of the investigation centered around the coach and no student-athletes were involved.

Pennsylvania joined Ohio and New Jersey in ordering sportsbooks to halt wagering on Crimson Tide baseball after spotting unusual betting activity during Alabama’s game against LSU last Friday. The alleged suspicious bets took place inside the BetMGM Sportsbook at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. 

According to ESPN, the investigation from Ohio’s casino commission stems from two bets on LSU to win placed by the same unidentified customer. LSU won Friday’s game, 8-6.

The Southeastern Conference has also launched an investigation. 

“As many states have acted to legalize sports gambling, we are reminded of the threats gambling may pose on competitive integrity,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said. 

Next week marks the five-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, also known as PASPA, allowing states to legalize sports betting. In April, the NFL suspended five players for violations related to the league’s gambling policy. 

The Buffalo Bills are finally getting their new stadium.

With the Erie County legislature approving the final $250 million for the $1.54 billion project on Thursday, the team said construction will “begin immediately.”

The new stadium will be built next door to Highmark Stadium. The Erie County legislature also extended the lease at Highmark, set to expire this summer, on Thursday.  

The new facility is expected to be completed in time for the 2026 season.

“Now that all the negotiations are over, we are excited to begin the physical phase of this project, which will lead to the opening of the stadium,” Bills executive VP and COO Ron Raccuia said. “Major construction in June will begin with excavation. The final design elements are never really final, but it’s extremely dialed in at this point.”

More than half the cost of the stadium — originally expected to cost $1.4 billion — is backed by public financing.

New York agreed to pay $600 million last year, with Erie County contributing $250 million. The NFL is expected to add $200 million — the maximum amount under the league’s G-4 loan program — with the Bills paying for the rest, including any overages. 

Opening in 1973, Highmark is the fourth-oldest NFL stadium in the country behind the Chicago Bears’ Soldier Field (1924), the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field (1957), and the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium (1972).