Judge Rules Brian Flores' NFL Discrimination Lawsuit Can Proceed to Open Court

Flores, Wilks, and Horton's lawsuit against the NFL and three teams will not be forced into arbitration.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A federal judge has ruled that the discrimination lawsuit filed by former NFL coaches Brian Flores, Steve Wilks, and Ray Horton against the NFL and three teams can proceed to open court, avoiding the league's arbitration process. The lawsuit alleges racial discrimination in the hiring and firing practices of the NFL.

Why it matters

This ruling is a significant victory for the plaintiffs, as it allows the case to be heard publicly rather than behind closed doors in the NFL's private arbitration system. The lawsuit has drawn widespread attention to the lack of diversity among NFL head coaches and the challenges minority candidates face in the league's hiring process.

The details

In February 2022, Flores, who is Black, filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL, the New York Giants, the Denver Broncos, and the Miami Dolphins, alleging racial discrimination in the league's hiring practices. Flores was joined in the lawsuit by Wilks, a former Arizona Cardinals head coach, and Horton, a former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator. The judge's ruling on Friday means the case can now proceed to open court, where the plaintiffs will have the opportunity to present evidence and testimony publicly.

  • The lawsuit was filed in February 2022.
  • The judge's ruling allowing the case to proceed to open court was issued on February 13, 2026.

The players

Brian Flores

A former NFL head coach who filed a class-action lawsuit against the league and three teams, alleging racial discrimination in the hiring and firing of minority candidates.

Steve Wilks

A former NFL head coach who joined Flores' lawsuit, also alleging racial discrimination in the league's hiring practices.

Ray Horton

A former NFL defensive coordinator who joined Flores and Wilks in the lawsuit against the league and teams.

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What’s next

The case will now proceed to open court, where the plaintiffs will have the opportunity to present their evidence and arguments against the NFL and the named teams.

The takeaway

The judge's decision to allow the Flores-led lawsuit to proceed to open court rather than be forced into private arbitration is a major step forward in addressing the lack of diversity among NFL head coaches and the challenges minority candidates face in the league's hiring process.