Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden faced a setback in his legal battle against the NFL on Monday. The Nevada Supreme Court justices denied his request for reconsideration on whether his lawsuit should be heard in court or in private arbitration.
Gruden’s lawyers had hoped for a rehearing after a previous decision allowed the league to move the case into arbitration, possibly overseen by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The majority of the panel stated that Gruden was aware of the arbitration clause in the NFL constitution and raised questions about who would preside over the case.
Despite the denial of the rehearing, Gruden has not indicated whether he will seek a hearing before the entire seven-member state high court. His lawsuit, filed in 2021, accuses Goodell and the NFL of forcing him to resign by leaking offensive emails from his time at ESPN.
The dissenting justice expressed concerns about Goodell arbitrating a case in which he is a defendant, calling it “outrageous.” Gruden left the Raiders in 2021 with years left on his contract after the emails were made public as part of an investigation into the Washington Commanders.
The leaked emails, sent between 2011 and 2018, led to the destruction of Gruden’s career and endorsement deals, according to the lawsuit. He is seeking damages for the selective disclosure and publication of the emails by major media outlets.
Gruden’s coaching career in the NFL spanned nearly two decades, with successful stints in Oakland and Tampa Bay, where he won a Super Bowl. Before returning to coaching, he spent time as a TV analyst for ESPN.
The legal battle between Gruden and the NFL continues to unfold, with the league appealing to the state high court after a lower court ruling favored Gruden’s claims of intentional misconduct by the league. As the case progresses, the implications for both Gruden and the NFL remain uncertain.
While the legal proceedings play out, Gruden’s future in football and the impact of the leaked emails on his reputation are subjects of ongoing speculation. The outcome of the lawsuit could have far-reaching consequences for both parties involved, shaping the narrative of accountability and transparency in professional sports.
