Gruden's Arbitration Appeal Denied by Nevada Supreme Court
Jon Gruden's attempt to challenge the decision to move his lawsuit into arbitration has hit a legal wall. The Nevada Supreme Court has turned down his bid to reconsider the arbitration ruling, marking another pivotal moment in the former Las Vegas Raiders coach's battle against the NFL.
Gruden’s legal saga began in November 2021, following a forced resignation from his position with the Raiders. The resignation came in the wake of leaked emails that revealed racist, sexist, and homophobic comments. In response, Gruden filed a lawsuit against the NFL, alleging that the league orchestrated his ousting by strategically leaking the incriminating emails.
The decision to push Gruden’s case into arbitration stems from a split decision by a three-justice panel on May 14. This ruling, which allows the NFL to move the civil lawsuit out of state court, means Gruden's claims will be resolved behind closed doors, keeping the proceedings away from the public eye.
The arbitration decision is grounded in the NFL’s constitution, but it remains unclear whether the arbitration will be overseen by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or a third-party arbitrator. The uncertainty adds another layer of complexity to an already tangled legal process. One justice voiced strong opposition to the potential involvement of Goodell, stating that “allowing Goodell to arbitrate a dispute in which he is a named party would be 'outrageous.'”
Gruden’s swift departure from the Raiders came when he still had more than six seasons left on his substantial 10-year, $100 million contract. He had signed this lucrative deal in 2018 when he returned to coach the team. The emails at the center of the controversy were sent between 2011 and 2018 to Bruce Allen, a former executive with the Washington Commanders. These emails surfaced amid an investigation into the Commanders' workplace culture, igniting a firestorm that ultimately led to Gruden's resignation.
There have been significant legal back-and-forths in this case. In May 2022, a Las Vegas judge ruled that Gruden’s accusations could indeed present evidence of intentional harm. The NFL quickly appealed this decision to the state Supreme Court, hoping to redirect the lawsuit into arbitration—a goal they have now achieved with the recent ruling.
As Gruden faces this latest setback, it remains to be seen whether he will pursue further legal avenues, such as appealing to the full seven-justice Supreme Court. The complexity of the case and the high stakes involved ensure that this legal battle will remain a point of keen interest both in the sports world and beyond.
With the move to arbitration, Gruden’s claims against the NFL will be addressed less publicly, away from the glaring spotlight of media scrutiny. The decision may change the dynamics of the case, influencing the strategies of both sides as they prepare for the next phase of this contentious dispute.