Journalist Jim Trotter Sues NFL For Discrimination

Ex-NFL Network journalist, Jim Trotter, has filed a complaint in federal district court, New York, claiming that he was subjected to discriminatory employment practices. Charles Bergin and Alessandro J. Angelori of Kaufman Dolowich LLP reported about the case in Conduct Detrimental.

The complaint asserts a number of racially-charged allegations starting with a 1930s “Gentleman’s Agreement” to exclude Black players, and including racist comments made by NFL team owners. It claims that the NFL Network fired Trotter after he challenged the league and Commissioner Roger Goodell with respect to the NFL and NFL Media’s record on discrimination and lack of diversity.

According to the Complaint, Trotter twice publicly asked Goodell, at annual “State of the League” press conferences, why “we’ve never had a black person in senior management in our newsroom.” Trotter alleges that he was subsequently asked by league management whether he was “in alignment” with the NFL.

Trotter responded that he was not “in alignment” with the NFL’s lack of diversity. A few days later, despite having been previously informed that his contract would be renewed, the NFL allegedly retaliated by declining to renew his contract.

Trotter brings six claims alleging retaliation and discrimination under three different statutes. The courts will have to determine whether the NFL itself or NFL Enterprises and the NFL Network actually employed Trotter. The Complaint describes ways in which the league-owned and controlled NFL Media entities.

Also to be determined are whether Trotter was engaging in protected activity and whether the decision to fire Trotter was in retaliation for his actions and inquiries.