Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters), The National Football League has said that the lawsuits filed by three Black coaches alleging racist hiring practices against the league should be dismissed as the allegations lack legal merit.

In a Manhattan federal court filing, the league presented its defenses against Brian Flores’ claims and those of two coaches. This was ahead of Valerie Caproni’s May 2 first conference.

Flores was fired as Miami Dolphins’ head coach in January after two consecutive winning seasons. In February, Flores sued the NFL, accusing them of discrimination in hiring for senior managerial and coaching positions.

On April 7, two more Black coaches joined the class action as plaintiffs, Ray Horton and Ray Wilks, who was the former Arizona Cardinals coach.

Flores’ case is getting unflattering coverage from the NFL

It has condemned racism for a long time.

In 2003, the league required that all teams consider joining.

Minority candidates are eligible to apply for the head coaching positions under it

Rooney Rule (or the Rooney Rule), was established in 2009.

general manager jobs.

The NFL responded to the plaintiffs on Thursday with a letter denying that Flores was subjected to a “sham interview” with New York Giants in order for them comply with Rooney Rule. It also denied Flores had a similar interview with Denver Broncos three years earlier.

The NFL lawyers wrote that “Defendants did not discriminate against plaintiffs (or Black coaches or general managers) on account of race nor have they retaliated to Mr. Flores” for filing the lawsuit.

In the same letter, lawyers for Flores Wilks, Horton stated that they intend to make claims under Title VII federal civil rights laws and any attempt to have the case sent to arbitration would be futile.

Flores, a senior linebacker coach as well as defensive assistant for the Pittsburgh Steelers was hired in February.