Jon Gruden resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders last year. His racist and homophobic emails were too scandalous for him to continue as head coach. Now, the former coach is alleging that Roger Goodell and the NFL played a key role in his resignation.
Gruden and his lawyers have made new and explosive allegations in the ongoing case. According to 8NewsNow in Las Vegas, “Jon Gruden’s lawyers allege the NFL pressured the Las Vegas Raiders to fire the former head coach last year following the release of racist and homophobic emails, which destroyed his reputation.”
“Gruden’s lawyers made the claim in response to the NFL’s appeal to the Supreme Court of Nevada. Lawyers for the NFL have said the league could suffer if Gruden’s lawsuit against it continues amid its appeal.”
The crux of the lawsuit and appeal comes from money and reputation. Lawyers are alleging that the former coach won’t receive the money owed to him, won’t have his reputation salvaged, and has lost out on endorsements. “Gruden signed a $100 million contract with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2018,” the 8NewsNow report said. “According to the lawsuit, he is not being paid the remaining balance on the contract, which runs through 2027. His lawyers also write Gruden is losing out on endorsement deals, including one with footwear company Skechers.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is also in the crosshairs. Gruden’s lawyers want arbitration to settle the lawsuit and have argued for Goodell to be the arbitrator.