NFL Didn't Appeal Gruden's Arbitration Victory

Former Raiders coach won the right to take his case to court instead of arbitration controlled by the league.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The NFL decided not to appeal former Raiders coach Jon Gruden's victory in keeping his lawsuit against the league out of arbitration and in open court. Gruden has vowed to "burn the NFL's house down" by exposing who leaked the emails that led to his ouster during the 2021 season, an action that impacted the integrity of that season.

Why it matters

Gruden's case threatens to reveal how the leaking of his emails during the 2021 season undermined the integrity of the NFL that year, with the Raiders nearly making the playoffs after his departure. The league's decision not to appeal suggests it may have a weak legal argument for forcing the case into private arbitration.

The details

Gruden won the right to keep his case in Nevada state court rather than being forced into the NFL's private arbitration process controlled by Commissioner Roger Goodell. The league did not attempt to appeal this ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, likely because its argument for forcing the case into arbitration was "flimsy and disingenuous." Gruden now has the opportunity to expose who leaked the emails that led to his ouster during the 2021 season, an action that impacted the integrity of that entire NFL season.

  • Gruden was ousted as Raiders coach during the 2021 NFL season.
  • Gruden won the right to keep his case in Nevada state court in early 2026.

The players

Jon Gruden

Former head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders who is suing the NFL over the leaking of emails that led to his ouster during the 2021 season.

Roger Goodell

Commissioner of the National Football League, who oversees the league's private arbitration process.

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What they’re saying

“Gruden, as a result, has the tiger tight by the tail. He reportedly wants to 'burn the NFL's house down.' Unless and until the league makes him a financial offer he can't refuse, Gruden will have every effort to expose who leaked emails that engineered his ouster during the 2021 season.”

— Mike Florio, Author (nbcsports.com)

What’s next

The case will now proceed in Nevada state court, where Gruden will have the opportunity to expose who leaked the emails that led to his ouster during the 2021 NFL season.

The takeaway

This case highlights the NFL's efforts to keep controversies and disputes out of public view through its private arbitration system, and Gruden's victory in keeping the case in open court raises questions about the integrity of the 2021 NFL season and the league's handling of the situation.