Jon Gruden scores initial victory in lawsuit against NFL
Aug 18, 2021; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden during a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jon Gruden on Wednesday scored an initial legal victory in his lawsuit against the NFL.
Gruden is suing the NFL, alleging that they held onto emails and selectively leaked them with the purpose of forcing Gruden to lose his job as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The NFL filed a motion to dismiss the case and a motion to compel arbitration. Nevada judge Nancy L. Allf on Wednesday denied both motions. The NFL argued that arbitration is necessary due to Gruden’s contract with the Raiders. But the former head coach’s legal team countered that Gruden is not bound to his contract since he resigned from his job on Oct. 11. Judge Allf agreed.
The NFL plans to appeal the judge’s decision.
If the league does not win an appeal, then the case could head to trial unless a settlement is reached. The league has a strong tendency to settle its lawsuit in an effort to avoid negative publicity that could arise through the discovery process.
Gruden, 58, resigned as Raiders head coach in October after numerous emails he sent from his personal account to then-Buccaneers executive Bruce Allen were leaked to a few media outlets. The emails, which were written between 2011-2018, contained gay slurs and other inappropriate content.
