STEVE WILKS

A judge has made it likely she'll rule in weeks rather than months whether NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell gets to decide the merits of racial discrimination claims made by Black coaches against the league and its teams.

A lawyer for an NFL coach who sued the league over alleged racist hiring practices has told a judge that arbitration is the wrong way to resolve the lawsuit in part because NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would be the arbitrator.

Steve Wilks and Ray Horton have joined Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFL, claiming they were discriminated against during hiring processes.

Steve Wilks and Ray Horton join Flores in seeking compensatory and punitive damages for Black head coaches, offensive and defensive coordinators and quarterback coaches and general managers.

Two coaches joined Brian Flores on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in his lawsuit alleging racist hiring practices by the NFL toward coaches and general managers. The updated lawsuit in Manhattan federal court added coaches Steve Wilks and Ray Horton. (AP Photo/David Richard) (David Richard)NEW YORK — (AP) — Two Black coaches joined Brian Flores on Thursday in his lawsuit alleging racist hiring practices by the NFL toward coaches and general managers. The updated lawsuit in Manhattan federal court added coaches Steve Wilks and Ray Horton. “When Coach Flores filed this action, I knew I owed it to myself, and to all Black NFL coaches and aspiring coaches, to stand with him,” he said.

NEW YORK — (AP) — Two Black coaches joined Brian Flores on Thursday in his lawsuit alleging racist hiring practices by the NFL toward coaches and general managers. The updated lawsuit in Manhattan federal court added coaches Steve Wilks and Ray Horton. In a release from the lawsuit's attorneys, Wilks said he hoped the lawsuit would help bring racial equality to the league. “When Coach Flores filed this action, I knew I owed it to myself, and to all Black NFL coaches and aspiring coaches, to stand with him,” he said. Messages sent to the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals and the Tennessee Titans for comment were not immediately returned.

Two Black coaches have joined Brian Flores in his lawsuit alleging racist hiring practices by the NFL toward coaches and general managers.