New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Thursday a joint investigation into allegations of employment discrimination and a hostile work environment within the National Football League (NFL).
The investigation will scrutinize the workplace culture of the NFL and explore allegations made by former employees, including potential violations of federal and state pay equity laws and anti-discrimination laws. Subpoenas have been issued to the NFL for relevant information.
“No person should ever have to endure harassment, discrimination, or abuse in the workplace,” James said. “No matter how powerful or influential, no institution is above the law, and we will ensure the NFL is held accountable.”
This announcement follows a New York Times report in February 2022 revealing allegations from more than 30 former female employees accusing the NFL of gender discrimination and retaliation after filing complaints with the league’s human resources division.
In April 2022, a coalition of six attorneys general, led by Attorney General James, sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressing their concerns and urging the league to address allegations of workplace inequity.
The investigation also comes on the heels of a former female manager filing an employment discrimination lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging age, sex, and gender discrimination and a hostile work environment. Additional lawsuits filed against the NFL related to race discrimination targeting a Black female employee and sexual harassment of a female wardrobe stylist, among others.
Attorneys General James and Bonta are now using their legal authority to seek information from the NFL regarding allegations of gender pay disparities in compensation, harassment, and gender and race discrimination.
