The Nevada Supreme Court has sided with former Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden to allow his civil lawsuit against the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell to proceed, NBC News reported. Nevada's highest court said in a 5-2 ruling that the NFL's preferred resolution through arbitration overseen by Goodell was "unconscionable."
The issue stems from a November 2021 lawsuit Gruden filed against the league after emails he sent to an NFL employee, which contained offensive language, were leaked to the press. He contends those leaks were intentional and damaged his career with the Raiders and beyond.
The rules of the NFL mandate that any conflict of this nature must go through arbitration, which Gruden fought on the basis that he is no longer an employee of the organization. The Nevada Supreme Court would eventually agree with his assertion in its decision on Monday.
The NFL claimed that its Constitution and Bylaws confer "full, complete, and final jurisdiction and authority to arbitrate . . . [a]ny dispute . . . that in the opinion of the Commissioner constitutes conduct detrimental to the best interests of the League or professional football." The court disagreed, calling that rule "unconscionable" and agreeing with him that it "does not apply to Gruden as a former employee."
According to a report in Sports Illustrated in October 2021, the NFL's review of some 650,000 emails over 10 years uncovered Gruden's use of offensive language in messages to an employee. His messages contained "misogynistic and anti-LGBTQ comments."
The review was being conducted as part of an investigation into workplace conduct at the Washington Commanders, the team that was formerly the Washington Red Skins until 2019. Then-team president Bruce Allen was often on the receiving end of Gruden's messages as the two were former co-workers at the Raiders the first time, between 1998 and 2001, and with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The emails involved in the investigation were sent while Gruden was an employee at ESPN and using his personal account. Allen was using his team email account, which was the catalyst for the NFL's ability to leak information about what Gruden said.
Some of the emails include Gruden's opinions against the NFL's decision to employ female referees and for allowing football players to protest during the national anthem. Gruden also had strong opinions about Goodell for forcing coaches to draft gay players, including the first openly gay player, Michael Sam.
In reviewing more than 650,000 emails sent over the past decade, the NFL has reportedly found numerous examples of Jon Gruden using misogynistic, anti-LGBTQ, and racial slurs, per the @nytimes.
Shortly after the report came to light, Gruden resigned: https://t.co/LmqlyxJpyM pic.twitter.com/GKu4Vt4UHQ
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 12, 2021
Because of the controversy, many believed Gruden should never work in football again. He has been working for Barstool Sports following the controversy, according to Fox News, but he longs to return to coaching football.
In a YouTube video chronicling his recent visit to Georgia, Gruden said he was there in the hopes of finding a way back to coaching, even if it is through collegiate sports. "I want to coach again. I’d die to coach in the [Southeastern Conference]. I would love it," Gruden said.
"Hopefully, I’m not done. I’m about to make a comeback," the Super Bowl-winning coach added. "Hopefully, some of these guys that fell off my branch, if you say it that way, maybe they can hire me 'cause I’m looking for a job." There are some signs of hope as he was associated with the New Orleans Saints following his 2021 ouster from the Raiders and was restored to the Buccaneers' Ring of Honor.
"I don’t care if I coach at Jones Junior High. I’m going to coach again. I’m still coaching. I’m just not on a team officially, but I do have some private assignments I work on, and I wear some gear when I’m watching the games that nobody knows about who I’m pulling for," Gruden said.
Of course, what Gruden said was objectionable, but ruining his career for life does not seem fitting for some offensive things he said in what he thought were private emails. Gruden will have a chance to be heard in court and, with any luck, may see his career restored as well.
