Gruden Sues NFL, Goodell (1 Viewer)

[rockaction]

From CNN:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/12/sport/jon-gruden-nfl-lawsuit-spt/index.html

Money quote: "The complaint alleges that the defendants selectively leaked Gruden's private correspondence to the Wall Street Journal and New York Times in order to harm Gruden's reputation and force him out of his job," Gruden's attorney Adam Hosmer-Henner said in a statement. "There is no explanation or justification for why Gruden's emails were the only ones made public out of the 650,000 emails collected in the NFL's investigation of the Washington Football Team or for why the emails were held for months before being released in the middle of the Raiders' season."

Good. I hope he wins. 650,000 emails, and those were the only ones released? NFL better have a good explanation.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

As a WFT fan, I hope he doesn’t settle and wants to burn it all down (taking Dan Snyder and the corrupt owners covering for him down in the process). Please, please let this suit get to the discovery phase. 

 

[finfansteve]

As a WFT fan, I hope he doesn’t settle and wants to burn it all down (taking Dan Snyder and the corrupt owners covering for him down in the process). Please, please let this suit get to the discovery phase. 

X2. I totally agree but this could get really ugly for many, many people in the nfl. I’m sure some of those are currently very highly regarded. This will get settled quite quickly to avoid that I’m sure 

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Spider 2  Y Banana

 

[menobrown]

. "There is no explanation or justification for why Gruden's emails were the only ones made public out of the 650,000 emails collected in the NFL's investigation of the Washington Football Team or for why the emails were held for months before being released in the middle of the Raiders' season."

I thought this was in fact explained as emails from the Snyder court filing? 

 

[rockaction]

I thought this was in fact explained as emails from the Snyder court filing? 

i don’t know. I’d take any factual claim with a grain of salt as it’s Gruden’s lawyer. 

 

[Chaka]

Glad he's not the Raider HC anymore but he got jobbed royally.

Hope he pursues this to the end and wins.

I pity the people that would have to read all 650,000 emails but I'm dying to read the Cliffs Notes.

ETA: I think I need to clarify that a win is getting the other 649,999 emails released.

 

[Sarlakticacid]

As a WFT fan, I hope he doesn’t settle and wants to burn it all down (taking Dan Snyder and the corrupt owners covering for him down in the process). Please, please let this suit get to the discovery phase. 

This and St Louis vs Kronke/NFL lawsuits gonna be fun to watch proceed

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Although I'd like to see more info reach the light of day, and have little doubt that this was a takedown of an ally of Bruce Allen, I suspect it will be difficult to establish the specific means by which emails were released, not to mention to establish how said release was part of a malicious and orchestrated campaign.

I suppose Gruden has little to lose at this point and if he can use humiliating the league as a prybar to either get more transparency or a settlement, perhaps by switching the tides of which owners are tacitly allowing the whisper campaign, he might as well try.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

As a WFT fan, I hope he doesn’t settle and wants to burn it all down (taking Dan Snyder and the corrupt owners covering for him down in the process). Please, please let this suit get to the discovery phase. 

Agree (not a WFT fan but I dislike Snyder immensely) 

it does feel like a cover-up. 600,000 emails and only Gruden’s leaked?

NFL comes out with a statement that Snyder “has been punished” with no details as to How and they “consider the matter resolved”? 

That’s shady as hell. Burn it down, Chuckie.  

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Agree (not a WFT fan but I dislike Snyder immensely) 

it does feel like a cover-up. 600,000 emails and only Gruden’s leaked?

NFL comes out with a statement that Snyder “has been punished” with no details as to How and they “consider the matter resolved”? 

That’s shady as hell. Burn it down, Chuckie.  

Documented "punishment" of Snyder includes a 10mm team fine (0.25% of his 4 billion dollar net worth), sensitivity training, and keeping him away from football activities (his "wife" is acting CEO).

In other words, a joke.

Snyder needs to be forced out, and I wish Gruden's litigation efforts all the success in the world.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Documented "punishment" of Snyder includes a 10mm team fine (0.25% of his 4 billion dollar net worth), sensitivity training, and keeping him away from football activities (his "wife" is acting CEO).

In other words, a joke.

Snyder needs to be forced out, and I wish Gruden's litigation efforts all the success in the world.

Wow - i hasn’t seen the details. Slap on the wrist. Absolute travesty. 

 

[ffmail4me]

Agree (not a WFT fan but I dislike Snyder immensely) 

it does feel like a cover-up. 600,000 emails and only Gruden’s leaked?

NFL comes out with a statement that Snyder “has been punished” with no details as to How and they “consider the matter resolved”? 

That’s shady as hell. Burn it down, Chuckie.  

Trust me, we (Washington fans) have been punished for years by the football gods. They don't take kindly to Satan's son owning our franchise.  IF Dan somehow gets removed, it will be as happy of a day for this franchise as when Gibbs returned. 

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Agree (not a WFT fan but I dislike Snyder immensely) 

it does feel like a cover-up. 600,000 emails and only Gruden’s leaked?

NFL comes out with a statement that Snyder “has been punished” with no details as to How and they “consider the matter resolved”? 

That’s shady as hell. Burn it down, Chuckie.  

He can take notes from the movies. Nobody messes with Chucky.

 

[matuski]

As a WFT fan, I hope he doesn’t settle and wants to burn it all down (taking Dan Snyder and the corrupt owners covering for him down in the process). Please, please let this suit get to the discovery phase. 

Seriously.

 

[jon007]

I bet Epstein is involved some where. It's very shady.

Like even with the cheer leaders. NFL says they can't release any information because some have requested anonymity.

Personally i believe this goes deeper than WFT and includes many other owners and the commissioner.

 

[matuski]

My money would be that this net goes way wider than the WFT, and would include people from all over the NFL.

 

[Faust]

NFL’s defense of Jon Gruden’s lawsuit likely will start with a fight over the proper forum

 

[Smack Tripper]

Surprising move considering I understand Gruden has family connections aspiring in the league

I'm sure Gruden saw himself as part of the old boys network, and now he's got nowhere to really go coaching or in traditional media so its scorched earth time

But that said, lets see all the emails if he have to see his

 

[CletiusMaximus]

. "There is no explanation or justification for why Gruden's emails were the only ones made public out of the 650,000 emails collected in the NFL's investigation of the Washington Football Team or for why the emails were held for months before being released in the middle of the Raiders' season."

I thought this was in fact explained as emails from the Snyder court filing? 

The WFT claims were an internal investigation, not a court case. Nothing from that investigation has been made public, aside from this leak. One thing that’s being glossed over here is that we don’t know who leaked the Gruden emails. The complaint alleges it was the NFL but they don’t know that. Some are speculating that Goodell released them to punish Gruden, who insulted Goodell in some of the emails. That seems far fetched to me. The 20+ WFT female employees who filed harassment claims and their lawyers also had the emails, as did the lead investigator and her office, and of course the WFT had them. There are probably others, professional firms involved in the investigation for example. It’s hard to identify the motive. Surely it would be odd for Goodell to intentionally put himself and his employers at massive risk by releasing these emails just because they hurt his feelings. 

For anyone interested, the complaint is here: https://www.scribd.com/document/539208423/Jon-Gruden-lawsuit-against-NFL-and-Roger-Goodell#download&from_embed

 

[wgoldsph]

Surely it would be odd for Goodell to intentionally put himself and his employers at massive risk by releasing these emails just because they hurt his feelings. 

Goodell and the owners feel like they are untouchable.   It wouldn't surprise me one bit if this were exactly the reason.

 

[shadrap]

The WFT claims were an internal investigation, not a court case. Nothing from that investigation has been made public, aside from this leak. One thing that’s being glossed over here is that we don’t know who leaked the Gruden emails. The complaint alleges it was the NFL but they don’t know that. Some are speculating that Goodell released them to punish Gruden, who insulted Goodell in some of the emails. That seems far fetched to me. The 20+ WFT female employees who filed harassment claims and their lawyers also had the emails, as did the lead investigator and her office, and of course the WFT had them. There are probably others, professional firms involved in the investigation for example. It’s hard to identify the motive. Surely it would be odd for Goodell to intentionally put himself and his employers at massive risk by releasing these emails just because they hurt his feelings. 

For anyone interested, the complaint is here: https://www.scribd.com/document/539208423/Jon-Gruden-lawsuit-against-NFL-and-Roger-Goodell#download&from_embed

I always appreciate your incite in matters like this.  no ax to grind in sides & such.  political thread included.

thanx

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Surely it would be odd for Goodell to intentionally put himself and his employers at massive risk by releasing these emails just because they hurt his feelings. 

Goodell and the owners feel like they are untouchable.   It wouldn't surprise me one bit if this were exactly the reason.

Yeah - that's certainly possible. My view is that the NFL owners pay Goodell something like $50m a year to take bullets for them, protect them and maximize their revenue.  If he personally released these emails, he opened a massive pandora's box and no one knows for certain where it will go.  Certainly, there is a connection with the pending St. Louis lawsuit that is going to trial in January if not settled.  That's a billion dollar bogie for the NFL and Kroenke, the fallout of which is hard to predict.  Its also known that the Gruden emails discussed Kaepernick and its possible they could reopen the Kaepernick/Reid collusion settlement due to additional information coming to light.  It seems to me the NFL owners can't possibly be happy these emails were released, and if it becomes known that Goodell did that on his own, they would likely fire him and sue him.

There's also the Raiders to consider.  They probably got a release from Gruden in exchange for a cash payment when he resigned.  Obviously the Raiders didn't get him to release the NFL, which I'm sure they wanted.  The Raiders are historically somewhat of an outsider and we know Davis Senior sued the NFL a couple times at least and was always battling other owners and the commissioner.  The Raiders also put a bid in to move to LA and were competing with the Rams for that opportunity but lost out. It will be interesting to see how the Raiders come out in this thing, who they support, etc.  My expectation is that none of these questions will ever be answered.

 

[Faust]

Gruden’s lawsuit mistakenly alleges that his firing was intended to distract from WFT investigation

Jon Gruden wants the last word on the NFL and Roger Goodell

 

[Sam Quentin]

I want to know what the deal is with passing around topless pics of cheerleaders.  This looks gross and like a gross violation.  

 

[rockaction]

I want to know what the deal is with passing around topless pics of cheerleaders.  This looks gross and like a gross violation.  

It's awful and dehumanizing.

 

[wgoldsph]

I want to know what the deal is with passing around topless pics of cheerleaders.  This looks gross and like a gross violation.  

What's gross(est) about it imo is that these weren't regular nudes, these were creep shots between outfit changes and "wardrobe malfunctions".   With an internet full of girls who take topless cheerleader pics on purpose, the fact that these scumbags had to go out of there and take b roll of women who didn't know they were being filmed is reprehensible.

 

[CalBear]

"I'm a horrible person and I'm suing the NFL for exposing that fact to the public. My argument is that I'm not the only horrible person in the NFL."

 

[menobrown]

The WFT claims were an internal investigation, not a court case.

They  were a part of this court case: https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-10-12/nfl-jon-gruden-emails-washington-football-team

 

[wgoldsph]

"I'm a horrible person and I'm suing the NFL for exposing that fact to the public. My argument is that I'm not the only horrible person in the NFL."

I mean... Yes?  If everyone, or most, are as horrible as he is then either you fire everyone or you can't single him out.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

"I'm a horrible person and I'm suing the NFL for exposing that fact to the public. My argument is that I'm not the only horrible person in the NFL."

He's not litigating for libel.

Would you rather he not stir this pot?

I'm guessing 90% of [football fans, minorities, females, general population, etc.] are happy the league is being made to squirm a little here.

 

[JohnnyU]

You go Chucky.

 

[Insein]

Redskins and th NFL are hiding something massive. I don't think the higher ups wanted Chucky to go down. I think that was someone low level that had an axe to grind against the Grudens. Goodell and Snyder just couldn't keep everyone under control though. They let it slip out. NYT and WSJ were all to eager to lap up that juicy tidbit and it's out before commish could get the lid back on. They try to talk the good talking points about disappointed in Jon, etc etc in the quiet hopes he doesn't take it any further. 

He has a decent nest egg. It's really about what he wants here. Does he want to extort the NFL for another $50-100m or does he want to watch the whole thing burn. Gonna be fun to watch. 

 

[Chaka]

"I'm a horrible person and I'm suing the NFL for exposing that fact to the public. My argument is that I'm not the only horrible person in the NFL."

Whether or not he is a horrible person has nothing to do with whether or not the league conspired to get him fired and make it difficult to find future employment.

#######s have rights too.

 

[DocHolliday]

He's not litigating for libel.

Would you rather he not stir this pot?

I'm guessing 90% of [football fans, minorities, females, general population, etc.] are happy the league is being made to squirm a little here.

Wonder how many teams are going to be impacted if the NFL cannot contain all the dirt in those emails?   This has to be bigger than WFT.  Time to grab some popcorn and get ready to watch fireworks.  

 

[CalBear]

Whether or not he is a horrible person has nothing to do with whether or not the league conspired to get him fired and make it difficult to find future employment.

#######s have rights too.

You're not protected against your own words. 

 

[Sarlakticacid]

Wonder how many teams are going to be impacted if the NFL cannot contain all the dirt in those emails?   This has to be bigger than WFT.  Time to grab some popcorn and get ready to watch fireworks.  

Gonna be a great offseason with this and St Louis law suit

 

[DallasDMac]

You're not protected against your own words. 

Apparently you are if you're not Gruden. At least according to the NFL.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

You're not protected against your own words. 

True, but in civil matters conspiring to selectively target someone can produce a payday...or can force disclosure of related information.  It's the civil equivalent of selective prosecution.  The question at hand has nothing to do with whether or not Gruden is an ahole.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

You're not protected against your own words. 

You aren’t getting the wide scope of what’s going on here. Nobody wants Gruden’s case to go forward bc they think he should still be employed or something. What he said was enough to get anyone fired, it was the leaks and the manner of the leaks that has peoples’ attention. People want to know what’s in the rest of the emails and who else is implicated, especially in Washington since that BS investigation was swept under the rug in a corrupt way.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

The WFT claims were an internal investigation, not a court case.

They  were a part of this court case: https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-10-12/nfl-jon-gruden-emails-washington-football-team

If this is the source of all the “leaked” Gruden emails, it would seem obvious his lawsuit should be dismissed. If Snyders lawyers released these as part of the Epstein lawsuits, I can’t see how the NFL or Goodell would have any liability to Gruden. 

 

[-OZ-]

"I'm a horrible person and I'm suing the NFL for exposing that fact to the public. My argument is that I'm not the only horrible person in the NFL."

Sounds more like “expose my transgressions to the world, I’ll make sure you expose your own “ type vengeance. Can’t blame the guy for being pissed And he’s probably right here. 

 

[Chaka]

You're not protected against your own words. 

It's not his words that he is disputing.

 

[Sea Duck]

I hope he wins but I know he won't.

 

[CalBear]

It's not his words that he is disputing.

I know. He's disputing that they got out. Too bad. He's a horrible person and the NFL is better without him. 

Yes, it's also true that there are many other people the NFL would be better off without.

 

[wgoldsph]

I know. He's disputing that they got out. Too bad. He's a horrible person and the NFL is better without him. 

Yes, it's also true that there are many other people the NFL would be better off without.

Then let's get rid of them all.   I think that's why everyone here is rooting for him, not because there's any sympathy for him.

 

[DocHolliday]

Then let's get rid of them all.   I think that's why everyone here is rooting for him, not because there's any sympathy for him.

That’s right.  Gruden does not deserve to be in the NFL but let’s see who else needs booted or steps away with a push.  

 

[Chaka]

I know. He's disputing that they got out. Too bad. He's a horrible person and the NFL is better without him. 

Yes, it's also true that there are many other people the NFL would be better off without.

No one is disputing this and you know that. Virtually all of us agree with that, and you know that too. You are simply speaking to an irrelevant distraction. Yes it's entirely irrelevant and I am all but 100% certain you know that too.

So why are you pushing it?

Regardless of his character he has a right to due process and if he can demonstrate harm, and he probably can, he has a right to appropriate compensation. Another thing I am virtually certain you know.

ETA: Most of us don't care if Gruden wins. Heck, I imagine most hope he loses but I think we all want the process to open up the vault on the other 649,999 emails we haven't seen yet.

 

[CalBear]

No one is disputing this and you know that. Virtually all of us agree with that, and you know that too. You are simply speaking to an irrelevant distraction. Yes it's entirely irrelevant and I am all but 100% certain you know that too.

So why are you pushing it?

Regardless of his character he has a right to due process and if he can demonstrate harm, and he probably can, he has a right to appropriate compensation. Another thing I am virtually certain you know.

ETA: Most of us don't care if Gruden wins. Heck, I imagine most hope he loses but I think we all want the process to open up the vault on the other 649,999 emails we haven't seen yet.

He was not convicted of any crime. "Due process" has no relevance to a private company or trade association.

And he didn't even get fired.

He's not pursuing this lawsuit because he wants to rid the NFL of bad guys. He's pursuing it because he doesn't think he should be subject to consequences for his words. 

 

[Brunell4MVP]

I wish him all the luck but I doubt someone in the NFL office released these.  It’s more likely someone with an ax to grind, potentially a person he worked with in WAS or elsewhere. Maybe Bruce allen, maybe a Snyder associate (perhaps on behalf of Dan), maybe another coach, or maybe someone in the LV offices that wanted him out.  All speculation but I don’t see how it’s something Goodell or the NFL would think is in their benefit… to single out Gruden. Why would they care about only him.  Goodell gets far worse said about him by people in the league on an hourly basis.