Pioneering Female NFL Official Sues League Over Discrimination

Robin DeLorenzo alleges gender-based scrutiny, humiliation, and hostility during her 3-year tenure as one of the NFL's first female officials.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:53pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a football game or officiating scene, with sharp planes of muted earth tones and shades of green, blue, and gray, conceptually representing the challenges faced by a female official in a male-dominated sport.The lawsuit alleges a pattern of gender-based discrimination and mistreatment that ultimately ended DeLorenzo's pioneering career as one of the NFL's first female officials.Manhattan Today

In a new lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court, Robin DeLorenzo, one of the first three women to officiate an NFL game, describes her three-year tenure as a league official from 2022 to 2025 as a descent into a sexist institution that subjected her to gender-based scrutiny, humiliation, and open hostility. DeLorenzo is seeking reinstatement and unspecified damages.

Why it matters

DeLorenzo's lawsuit sheds light on the challenges faced by women breaking into the male-dominated world of professional sports officiating. Her allegations of discrimination and mistreatment raise questions about the NFL's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and providing equal opportunities for female officials.

The details

According to the lawsuit, DeLorenzo faced a range of indignities during her time as an NFL official, including being sent oversized men's uniforms, being told to let her ponytail show, and being forced to perform a humiliating singing performance in front of players and coaches. The lawsuit also alleges that DeLorenzo was repeatedly shamed, harassed, and subjected to profanity-laced trash talk by her crew chief, who had previously been accused of mistreating another female employee. In 2024, DeLorenzo was forced to attend a training opportunity intended for lower-level college officials, something no male official had ever been required to do. The lawsuit claims this was a 'male power play' intended to humiliate and undermine her. DeLorenzo was ultimately fired on February 18, 2025.

  • DeLorenzo served as an NFL official from 2022 to 2025.
  • She was fired on February 18, 2025.

The players

Robin DeLorenzo

One of the first three women to officiate an NFL game, who served as a league official from 2022 to 2025 before being fired and filing a lawsuit alleging gender-based discrimination and mistreatment.

Mike Tomlin

The head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers during DeLorenzo's time as an NFL official.

NFL Referees Association

The labor union representing NFL officials, which objected to DeLorenzo being forced to attend a training opportunity intended for lower-level college officials.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to reinstate DeLorenzo and award her unspecified damages.

The takeaway

DeLorenzo's lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenges faced by women breaking into the male-dominated world of professional sports officiating, and raises questions about the NFL's commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for female officials.