The NFL can be put on trial over civil claims that Brian Flores and other Black coaches face discrimination, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday, rejecting the league's attempt to force Flores into arbitration with Commissioner Roger Goodell as the arbitrator.

In February 2022, Flores sued the NFL and several teams claiming racial discrimination ran rampant through the league's hiring process, particularly against Black coaches.

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores' civil discrimination claim against the NFL was cleared by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to proceed to trial, bypassing what the panel of judges felt was a flawed arbitration process involving commissioner Roger Goodell.