In a significant legal victory for former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden, the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that his lawsuit against the NFL can proceed in open court rather than being forced into arbitration.
The case stems from 2021, when Gruden resigned amid controversy over leaked emails containing controversial language from his time as an ESPN analyst.
Gruden alleges that the NFL orchestrated a “malicious and orchestrated campaign” to destroy his career by selectively leaking these emails, which severely impacted his professional opportunities and endorsements.
The court’s 5-2 decision deemed the NFL’s arbitration clause “unconscionable” for former employees, rejecting the league’s appeal to have the matter handled privately by Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Jon Gruden’s Legal Team is ‘Pleased’
This ruling not only clears the path for Jon Gruden to seek monetary damages but also sets a broader precedent for employees challenging unfair arbitration processes. And it’s damaging to the NFL’s power structure.
Gruden’s legal team recognizes the significance of their hard-fought victory against the juggernaut NFL’s own legal crew.
“We’re very pleased with the Nevada Supreme Court’s decision, not just for Coach Gruden but for all employees facing an employer’s unfair arbitration process,” one of his lawyers told Pro Football Talk.
“This victory further vindicates Coach Gruden’s reputation, and it clears the way to swiftly bringing him full justice and holding the NFL accountable.”
Holding Commissioner Roger Goodell and the league accountable is a rare thing. There is reason to celebrate.
The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Jon Gruden in his appeal against the NFL.
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) August 11, 2025
That means Gruden will get discovery and his day in court alleging that Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL improperly leaked his emails, leading to his firing as Raiders head coach. pic.twitter.com/QHcy6xR9Wd
RELATED: Legendary Coach Jon Gruden Eyeing A Return To The Sidelines
Will He Return to the Sidelines?
Jon Gruden has been unofficially assisting teams like the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions while serving as a consultant for the Arena Football One League.
Will he return to the NFL in an official capacity? It’s murky but not impossible.
Gruden has made it clear he wants back in, telling CBS Sports in September he’s “interested in coaching at any level” and has the itch to lead a team again, even considering college football as an option.
“Yeah, I’m interested in coaching,” Gruden said. “My dad was a college coach, I was a college coach at Pitt, my wife was a cheerleader at Tennessee when I met her. Hell yeah, I’m interested in coaching.”
He expressed optimism about a potential NFL comeback in an interview with the Detroit Free Press, stating he’s “working hard to maybe get one more shot.”
Gruden was reinstated to the Tampa Bay Bucs Ring of Honor earlier this year, reversing a decision made nearly four years ago when the controversial private emails were leaked following an NFL investigation. The reinstatement was long overdue.
He resigned in October 2021 – his second stint with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders – after the surfacing of emails from 2010 to 2018 that allegedly contained racist and homophobic remarks.
The emails were initially discovered during an NFL investigation into the Washington Redskins (at the time) workplace culture. It led to widespread controversy when they became public.
Gruden’s resignation came amid mounting pressure, especially after an email describing NFLPA executive DeMaurice Smith using a racially insensitive metaphor was revealed. He also used colorful language to describe NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and insinuated that the NFL should not have female referees.
Gruden led the Bucs to their first Super Bowl win in 2002 and was inducted into the Ring of Honor in 2017.