An ex-NFL Media journalist claims the league is unwilling to confront what he refers to as long-standing institutional discrimination. He also claims that the reason his contract was not renewed was because he frequently raised issues with equity and racial injustice.
Jim Trotter accused Terry Pegula and Jerry Jones of making racist remarks in a discrimination and retaliation complaint that was filed against them on Tuesday in federal court in New York City. Trotter claimed that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league management were unresponsive to his concerns about such remarks and the lack of diversity among NFL Media staff.
The NFL has stated that it desires to be held accountable for its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. In a statement issued by his law company, Wigdor, Trotter said, “I tried to do so and it cost me my job. “I’m bringing this lawsuit because if I’m not willing to stand up for what’s right, how can I complain about things that are wrong?”
Trotter, a Black reporter who previously worked for the NFL Network but had his contract not renewed in March, is currently employed by The Athletic.
The NFL responded to Trotter’s claims with a statement refuting them.
The NFL stated: “We share Jim Trotter’s passion for quality journalism produced in and supported by a diverse and inclusive environment.” “We take his concerns seriously, but vehemently refute his specific claims, especially those made against his devoted colleagues at NFL Media,” the statement reads.
According to the NFL, the decision not to renew Trotter’s contract was taken due to “a challenging economy & a changing media environment.”
The accusation against Pegula is untrue, he added in a statement. I am appalled that anyone would associate me with such a claim, the man declared. I personally find it repugnant that my name is connected to this complaint since racism has no place in our culture.
Diversity and inclusion are very important to me personally and to the NFL, according to a statement made by Jones. The account provided by Jim Trotter of a discussion that took place between our VP of Player Personnel, Will McClay, and me more than three years ago is absolutely untrue.
Trotter said that because of his color, he had experienced prejudice. By firing him, he claims, the NFL encouraged and approved of a toxic workplace.
In order to investigate and review the NFL’s practices and make the necessary adjustments regarding their hiring, retention, and promotion of Black personnel throughout their business, he is requesting that a court-appointed monitor be appointed.
According to the lawsuit, neither its news desk nor any executive positions at NFL Media were held by any Black people.
At multiple press conferences, including those held during the league’s Super Bowl celebrations in February, Trotter voiced his concerns to Goodell about the dearth of Black people in positions of power.
In a long response, Goodell said, in part: “I think it’s not one response, Jim, the single responsibility pertains to all of us in the NFL, and we all have to be the ones who make that change, as well as we are the ones that have to make certain we bring diversity deeper into our NFL along with make the NFL an open and diverse organization, which gives everyone the opportunity to be successful.”
The following day, according to Trotter, his immediate manager, Ali Bhanpuri, questioned one of Trotter’s coworkers: “Why does Jim keep bringing this up?”
NFL Media reported that its three most recent senior employees, two of whom are Black and the other Hispanic, are all individuals of color. Additionally, eight out of nine of its most recent on-air hires come from a variety of backgrounds, including seven Black people.
By citing a conversation he had with the Cowboys owner in 2020 regarding the issue of the dearth of Black professionals in decision-making positions in the NFL, Trotter implied that Jones was at fault. Jones’s response, he claimed, was that if Black people felt a certain way, they should purchase their own team and hire anybody they wanted.
Trotter said that his supervisors told him not to mention Jones’ remarks in his story.
Trotter then recalled a remark Pegula purportedly made about player demonstrations against racial injustice over a meal with media. Despite not being there, Trotter said that one of his colleagues brought up the remarks on an NFL Media Zoom call in 2020.
The NFL should be shameful of the racial animus openly voiced by club owners and the league’s complete lack of response after being put on notice, according to a joint statement from Trotter’s attorneys, Douglas Wigdor and David Gottlieb.