Jim Trotter’s response to NFL’s effort to dismiss wrongful termination lawsuit shows the battle is far from over

Jim Trotter is a renowned sports journalist and former NFL media reporter. He boasts a distinguished career, with stints at Sports Illustrated and ESPN. The veteran presently contributes to The Athletic, the web platform under the New York Times’ ownership.

Trotter has recently hit the headlines by getting embroiled in a legal showdown with the NFL. The latest development in this high-profile legal tussle unfolds as his legal team files a comprehensive 22-page response challenging the NFL’s motion to dismiss the wrongful termination lawsuit.

Jim Trotter files response to NFL’s motion to dismiss wrongful termination

Jim Trotter’s legal team has vigorously responded to the NFL’s attempt to dismiss his wrongful termination lawsuit. The party unveiled a 22-page document brimming with compelling arguments challenging the NFL’s attempt to have the case thrown out.

One prominent point highlighted by Trotter’s lawyers is the timeline leading up to his termination, via NBC Sports. They wrote that the league seems to overlook the fact that Trotter engaged in three instances of clearly protected activity shortly before his dismissal. These instances, occurring two months, three weeks, and 12 days before termination, are crucial to his claims.

The second major contention revolves around Trotter’s vocalization of concerns regarding racial diversity within NFL media. His lawyers mentioned that Trotter explicitly raised the issue of the league’s failure to hire or promote a black individual into a leadership role in NFL Media or a full-time position on the NFL Media news desk.

Adding weight to Trotter’s case, his legal team drew an “express parallel” between his situation and the ongoing lawsuit filed by Brian Flores and others against the NFL, alleging racial discrimination in coaching positions. His lawyers asserted that he provided examples of discriminatory slurs used by NFL team owners against black players.

The response also shed light on the assurances Trotter allegedly received before making his complaints. According to the document, Trotter was told that his employment contract would be renewed, and there were indications that his role could even be enhanced.

The remaining pages of the document serve as a playbook for his arguments, meticulously laying out a detailed account of the situation supported by concrete evidence. The memo scrutinizes Trotter’s conversations with his supervisor, highlighting alleged pressure to “compromise” for the sake of financial obligations.

Jim Trotter revealed racial remarks by franchise owners

Jim Trotter filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court in 2023, alleging that he faced retaliation for confronting NFL officials about the league’s hiring practices concerning race. As a black journalist, he raised valid concerns about the lack of racial diversity within NFL Media, the internal unit responsible for reporting on the league. His lawsuit also highlighted unsettling instances where NFL team owners allegedly made racist remarks without facing any consequences.

One such incident occurred during a Zoom meeting in September 2020, where Trotter learned of a conversation involving Terry Pegula, owner of the Buffalo Bills. Pegula’s reported comment regarding black players’ activism was shockingly derogatory, suggesting that they should “go back to Africa and see how it is.”

Similarly disturbing was Trotter’s interaction with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The Cowboys owner allegedly dismissed concerns about racial diversity by suggesting that black individuals should simply buy their own team.

The NFL, in response to Trotter’s claims, maintained that the decision not to renew his contract was purely business-related. While acknowledging ongoing efforts to improve diversity and inclusion, the league conceded that there is still much work to be done.

However, Trotter’s lawsuit, coupled with ongoing litigation from individuals like Brian Flores, suggests that mere acknowledgment is not enough. Flores sued the league for discriminatory hiring practices as well.