2nd Circuit rules Flores can move forward with civil claims against the NFL and three teams—the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Houston Texans—rejecting the league’s bid to compel arbitration with Roger Goodell as the arbitrator. The decision contends that NFL arbitration rules provide arbitration in name only, lacking an independent forum and violating core arbitration principles by routing disputes to the league’s top executive. NFL plans to seek further review while Flores’ suit remains alive as a potential class action for others who joined. Flores is currently Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, with coaching stints at the Patriots, Dolphins and Steelers, underscoring the broader fight over systemic hiring discrimination in the league. The ruling reaffirms a high-stakes confrontation over how the NFL handles internal disputes and the path for Black coaches seeking redress, a narrative that could influence future coaching hires and the perception of league governance.