Female NFL Referee Files Bias Lawsuit Against League

Robin DeLorenzo alleges gender discrimination, harassment, and retaliation during her tenure as an NFL official from 2022 to 2025.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:05am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football officiating scene, with sharp planes of color and no recognizable figures or text, conceptually representing the gender discrimination claims in the lawsuit.A cubist interpretation of the gender bias allegations leveled against the NFL by former official Robin DeLorenzo.NYC Today

Robin DeLorenzo, one of the first women to officiate an NFL game, has filed a federal lawsuit against the league and two officials, accusing them of gender discrimination, retaliation, and harassment during her time as an NFL official from 2022 to 2025. The lawsuit seeks reinstatement, damages, and other relief under federal and state anti-discrimination laws.

Why it matters

DeLorenzo's lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenges women face in breaking into and succeeding in male-dominated professional sports leagues like the NFL. Her allegations of unequal treatment, harassment, and retaliation raise concerns about the league's commitment to creating a fair and inclusive environment for all officials.

The details

According to the lawsuit, DeLorenzo's experience as an NFL official included gender-based scrutiny, humiliation, disparate training, unequal equipment, and open hostility from male colleagues. The complaint alleges she received ill-fitting uniforms, was instructed to let her ponytail show, and was required to perform a 'humiliating' singing routine in front of Steelers players and staff. The lawsuit also claims she faced stricter performance evaluations and that the decision to terminate her employment in 2025 was based on discriminatory treatment.

  • DeLorenzo worked as an NFL official from April 2022 until February 18, 2025, when the league terminated her employment.
  • The lawsuit was filed on Friday, April 3, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The players

Robin DeLorenzo

A New Jersey native and one of the first women in history to officiate a National Football League game, who worked as an NFL official from 2022 to 2025 before being terminated.

Walter Anderson

The NFL's former senior vice president of officiating, who is named as one of the officials in DeLorenzo's lawsuit.

Byron Boston

An NFL official named in DeLorenzo's lawsuit.

John Hussey

The referee who led the officiating crew DeLorenzo worked on during her first season, and who allegedly used profanity and stopped speaking to her by the end of the season.

Mike Tomlin

The head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who was allegedly present when an officiating crew chief told DeLorenzo to sing in front of the team, players, and her supervisor.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed.

The takeaway

DeLorenzo's lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenges women face in breaking into and succeeding in male-dominated professional sports leagues. Her allegations of unequal treatment, harassment, and retaliation raise concerns about the NFL's commitment to creating a fair and inclusive environment for all officials, and the case could have broader implications for diversity and inclusion efforts in the league.