Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Brian Flores' lawyer balks at Roger Goodell arbitrating lawsuit

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 5/2/22

A lawyer for former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores is speaking out against NFL commissioner Roger Goodell being the arbitrator in Flores' lawsuit against the league.

The news comes after a federal court hearing on Monday and addresses the NFL's desire to move Flores' lawsuit to arbitration. According to the Associated Press, attorney Douglas Wigdor told the judge on Monday that arbitration is the "wrong way" to resolve the lawsuit. He added that having Goodell be the arbitrator is "unconscionable" and that the league is trying to force the lawsuit "behind closed doors" so the public is kept out of the loop.

Status conference held today in the Brian Flores v. NFL class action lawsuit.

NFL insists that the suit be moved to arbitration but Flores and his team are not backing down because he wasn’t under contract when some claims occurred.

(via @innercitypress) pic.twitter.com/bxS1s4i88B
— Dan Lust (@SportsLawLust) May 2, 2022

Monday's hearing is the first to take place since Flores filed the lawsuit back in February. It alleges the NFL is "rife with racism" and that his race played a significant role in him being fired from the Dolphins at the conclusion of the regular season and in his difficulty landing another coaching job. Flores was hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers in February as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach.

Fellow coaches Steve Wilks and Ray Horton joined Flores in the suit, although none of those parties were present at the hearing on Monday, the AP said.

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