


Former NFL Network reporter Jim Trotter sued the NFL on Tuesday, alleging his employment contract was not renewed this year because he repeatedly pressed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about hiring practices and diversity measures, according to a filing that claims Bills owner Terry Pegula and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made disparaging comments about Black players and shrugged off diversity concerns.
Trotter departed NFL Network early this year and later joined sports journalism outlet The Athletic. ... [+]
Trotter, whose NFL Network contract was not renewed earlier this year, says he called out the NFL on institutional discrimination throughout multiple levels of the league—a stance he claims resulted in him losing his job.
The lawsuit claims Trotter was not being given work assignments and that his inquiries directed toward the NFL’s diversity measures were questioned by a supervisor.
Trotter said he witnessed “unchecked” discriminatory conduct throughout his time at the NFL’s in-house cable network, alleging Pegula—the billionaire owner of the Bills—said in response to player protests, “If the Black players don’t like it here, they should go back to Africa and see how bad it is,” a quote denied by Pegula on Tuesday.
The lawsuit also alleges Jones, the Cowboys’ billionaire owner, said Black people should buy their own team and make their own hires if they “feel some kind of way”—Trotter said he complained about Pegula and Jones’ comments but the NFL did not take action.
The reporter accused the league and NFL Network of discrimination and retaliation under federal and state law, and asked for unspecified damages.
The NFL told Forbes on Tuesday it takes Trotter’s concerns seriously but strongly disputes “his specific allegations, particularly those made against his dedicated colleagues at NFL Media,” adding Trotter’s departure was part of business decisions made to “address a challenging economy and a changing media environment.”
Trotter said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, he was filing the suit “because I can’t complain about things that are wrong if I’m unwilling to fight for what’s right.”
“The statement attributed to me in Mr. Trotter’s complaint is absolutely false,” Pegula said in a statement Tuesday. “I am horrified that anyone would connect me to an allegation of this kind. Racism has no place in our society and I am personally disgusted that my name is associated with this complaint.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.