Journalist sues NFL, alleging discrimination and racially charged statements by NFL owners

On Tuesday, the owners of the Dallas Cowboys, Terry Pegula and Jerry Jones, denied the racially charged allegations made against them in a 53-page complaint filed by the NFL.

Trotter said in August 2020 that he was on the field before the Hall of Fame game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys when he asked why so few NFL teams have Black decision makers.

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According to the lawsuit, Jones eventually replied, “If African Americans have certain feelings, they ought to purchase their own team and employ individuals they desire to employ.”

Jones replied with a declaration.

He stated, “Variety and incorporation hold immense significance for me on a personal level and for the NFL.” “The portrayal provided by Jim Trotter of a discussion that took place more than three years ago with me and our Vice President of Player Personnel, Will McClay, is merely not precise.”

NFL Network reporter Jim Trotter at a press conference at Phoenix Convention Center on Feb. 8, 2023 in Phoenix, Ariz.

In September 2020, a reporter from NFL Media described a conversation with Pegula, another NFL reporter, about social activism by NFL players and their support for the Black Lives Matter movement. According to this reporter, Pegula shared his account of this conversation, as well as complaints from Trotter, during a Zoom meeting with other NFL Media employees. The alleged reporter said that Pegula stated that if the Black players don’t like it here, they should go back to Africa and see how bad it is there.

Trotter, who is Black, objected to these comments, saying that he was not told about Pegula’s alleged comments on-air, but he said that he objected to the mention of Jones’ comments that were swept under the rug by the league.

Pegula also released a statement on Tuesday.

I am horrified that anyone would connect me with such an allegation of racism in our society. The statement attributed to Mr. Trotter in my complaint is completely false. Personally, I am disgusted that my name is associated with this complaint, said Pegula.

How has the NFL reacted?

The National Football League (NFL) also released a statement expressing its seriousness in addressing his concerns, but vehemently denies his specific claims.

We continue to be committed to progress, always acknowledging that there is more to be done while making significant strides in improving inclusion and diversity in the NFL. We appreciate Jim’s five years of service at NFL Media and wish him much success in his new role. Unfortunately, Jim was one of the many employees who were affected by these business decisions. Mr. Trotter’s departure from NFL Media was one of the many difficult decisions made recently, similar to other media organizations, in order to address a changing media environment and a challenging economy.

Trotter’s encounter with Goodell

During a press conference called “State of the League” in February, Trotter publicly challenged NFL Commissioner Goodell, noting the “deplorable” record of the organization in terms of hiring, retaining, and advancing Black leaders.

He told Goodell, “That’s an issue. In our newsroom, we’ve never had an African American individual in a high-ranking position throughout those five years, and I’ve been employed at NFL Media for five years.”

“Why does Jim continue to mention this?” Inquired one of Trotter’s coworkers, as stated in Trotter’s formal complaint, the day after he confronted Goodell in February, Trotter’s immediate manager.

As per the allegation, Trotter’s complaint stated that he replied he was “not in agreement with a newsroom that lacks Black representation in decision-making roles.” In March, a different executive inquired if Trotter was “in agreement” with the NFL.

After a few weeks, his agent received the news that Trotter’s contract would not be renewed. Since then, Trotter has found employment at The Athletic.

In the NFL Media newsroom, there is a lack of Black full-time staff, Black copy editors, and Black managers. Throughout the league’s history, there has never been a majority owner who is Black, and only three out of the 32 teams have head coaches who identify as Black, as stated in his complaint.

Trotter expressed that the owners have generated billions of dollars relying on a predominantly Black player population, and these players should be accompanied by someone who understands their cultural and life experiences during discussions regarding their coverage. Trotter expressed optimism that this lawsuit will bring about significant transformations throughout the league and in the newsroom.