NFL controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
NFL files Supreme Court amicus brief supporting New Jersey regulators against Kalshi
Lawsuit filed
The NFL filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of New Jersey regulators in their legal dispute with Kalshi. The league argued that sports prediction contracts are effectively gambling and should be regulated by the states, rather than exclusively by the federal government, as Kalshi has argued in court. The NFL said football accounted for $1.8 billion in prediction markets trading on the first Sunday of the season. It also raised concerns about contracts that could be vulnerable to manipulation and about Kalshi allowing customers as young as 18, while the league wants a minimum betting age of 21.
Stated objective. The NFL believes that given the current resource constraints of the CFTC, regulating sports prediction contracts as gambling is a job better left to the states.
Company response
Denial — NFL
A spokesperson for the NFL told PEOPLE on Friday that "the allegations are entirely meritless and the NFL will vigorously defend against these claims."
Denial — NFL
NFL has continuously denied leaking the Gruden emails
Source excerpt
The NFL says on the first Sunday of the season, football accounted for $1.8 billion in prediction markets trading, more than half the total volume.
The league is concerned about contracts that are vulnerable to manipulation, like field goals where a kicker could intentionally miss or a wide receiver intentionally fumbling a pass.
"In the end, we believe that given the current resource constraints of the CFTC, this is a job better left to the states," the league told CNBC.
2026
NFL announces Week 4 fines; Jaguars' Ventrell Miller not fined for hit on Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase
Fine or penalty
The NFL announced on Oct. 10, 2026 the disciplinary outcomes from the Week 4 game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals: Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller was not fined for his second-quarter hit on Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who was evaluated for a concussion and ruled out for the rest of the game; Jaguars' Jarrian Jones was fined $8,201 for a facemask infraction and Travon Walker $11,941 for taunting, while Bengals' Boye Mafe and Myles Murphy were fined $11,941 each for facemask penalties.
Source excerpt
As the Bengals evaluated Chase for a concussion and ruled him out for the the rest of the game
Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller was not fined for his hit of Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase during the second quarter of the Jags’ NFL Week 4 win at Paycor Stadium, the league announced Oct. 10.
Jones was fined $8,201 for the facemask infraction.
2022
Brian Flores sues NFL and three teams alleging discrimination
Lawsuit filed
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores sued the NFL, the New York Giants, the Miami Dolphins and the Denver Broncos, alleging racism in hiring practices. The source reports allegations, not a court determination.
Company response
Denial — Denver Broncos
The Broncos added their own statement categorically denying all of these allegations.
Denial — NFL
In a statement, the NFL said it will defend “against these claims, which are without merit.”
Denial — Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins issued a statement, saying: “We vehemently deny any allegations of racial discrimination and are proud of the diversity and inclusion throughout our organization.
Denial — Denver Broncos
In a statement, the Broncos said the allegations were “blatantly false.”
Source excerpt
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL, and the Denver Broncos are mentioned.
The allegations from Brian Flores directed towards the Denver Broncos in today’s court filing are blatantly false.
The lawsuit and the explosive allegations contained therein were announced on Tuesday as most of the sports world was still reacting to Tom Brady’s retirement announcement. Flores’ lawsuit is filed against the NFL, the Giants, Broncos, and Dolphins, as well as “John Doe team 1-29.”
2022
San Diego taxpayer files lawsuit against NFL and team owners over Chargers relocation
Lawsuit filed
San Diego taxpayer Ruth Henricks filed a lawsuit against the National Football League and its 32 team owners, accusing league and team officials of violating relocation rules and alleging failures to negotiate in good faith. The city of San Diego is also named as a defendant. The allegations are not stated as court findings.
Source excerpt
Filed in San Diego Superior Court late Monday, the case was brought by San Diego taxpayer and business owner Ruth Henricks.
Two former San Diego city attorneys have followed through on their threat from last week and filed a lawsuit against the National Football League and its 32 team owners, accusing them of violating their own rules governing team relocations.
2021
Officer files lawsuit against NFL over campaign materials
Lawsuit filed
In 2021, Indianapolis police officer De'Joure Mercer filed a federal lawsuit against the NFL. According to the filing, Mercer alleged that video and tweets published by the league implied that he committed occupational misconduct and criminal acts in connection with the shooting death of Dreasjon Reed. The lawsuit centered on the league's campaign materials and the meaning Mercer said they conveyed about his conduct in the Reed case. The available account does not specify the outcome of the litigation or any response from the NFL.
Indianapolis police officer De’Joure Mercer filed a federal lawsuit against the NFL, alleging that video and tweets published by the league implied he committed occupational misconduct and criminal acts in connection with the shooting death of Dreasjon Reed.
Source excerpt
Mercer’s lawyer, Guy A. Relford, wrote in the complaint that the materials the league published imply that Mercer “committed occupational misconduct and even criminal acts during the May 6 (e)ncounter with Reed, similar to that which were inflicted upon George Floyd.”
An Indianapolis police officer filed a lawsuit against the NFL on Monday over video and tweets the league published last year claiming that a Black man he shot and killed died because of “systemic racism.”
Now, Mercer has filed a lawsuit against the NFL, saying he suffered injuries and damages in response to the league's law enforcement-degrading publications fighting for "social justice."
2021
NFL pledges to halt race-norming and review Black claims
Company response
The NFL pledged to halt the use of race-norming in its brain injury claims settlement and to review Black players' past scores for potential race bias. The article reports that the practice made it harder for Black retirees to qualify for awards.
Company response
Remediation — NFL
The NFL on Wednesday pledged to halt the use of “race-norming” — which assumed Black players started out with lower cognitive function — in the $1 billion settlement of brain injury claims and review past scores for any potential race bias.
Source excerpt
The NFL on Wednesday pledged to halt the use of “race-norming” — which assumed Black players started out with lower cognitive function — in the $1 billion settlement of brain injury claims and review past scores for any potential race bias.
2020
NFL penalizes the New England Patriots over unauthorized filming
Fine or penalty
The NFL fined the New England Patriots $1.1 million and required the team to forfeit its third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after members of its TV team were seen recording from the Cincinnati Bengals' press box during a game the previous season.
Source excerpt
The NFL hit the New England Patriots with new penalties Sunday after members of their TV team were spotted recording from the Cincinnati Bengals’ press box during a game against the Cleveland Browns last season.
The Patriots were fined $1.1 million and will forfeit their third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft as penalties.
The New England Patriots have been fined $1.1 million by the NFL for inappropriately filming the Cincinnati Bengals’ sideline during a game last season.
2020
NFL responds to sexual harassment and verbal abuse allegations involving Washington team
Company response
The NFL addressed allegations that fifteen former employees of its Washington team had experienced sexual harassment and verbal abuse. The league called the reported matters serious and disturbing, and said Washington had engaged outside counsel to investigate; the NFL said it would meet with the attorneys after the investigation and take action based on the findings.
Company response
Investigation — Washington
Washington has engaged outside counsel to conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations.
Source excerpt
The NFL addressed sexual harassment and verbal abuse allegations against the league’s Washington D.C. team in a tweet Friday morning.
“These matters as reported are serious, disturbing and contrary to the NFL’s values. Everyone in the NFL has the right to work in an environment free from any and all forms of harassment,” the NFL said in the statement.
“Washington has engaged outside counsel to conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations.
2020
Seahawks fined for face-covering violations
Fine or penalty
In September 2020, the NFL fined the Seattle Seahawks $250,000 after head coach Pete Carroll and other coaches were reported to have violated face-covering rules. The fine was reported in connection with the team's non-compliance with the league's face-covering requirements. The event was documented in a news report published on September 22, 2020.
The NFL fined the Seahawks $250,000 after head coach Pete Carroll and other coaches were reported to have violated face-covering rules.
Source excerpt
The NFL issued a very strongly worded warning to coaching staffs before after they saw issues with the policy multiple times in Week 1.
The three coaches were fined $100,000 a piece and their respective teams were each fined an additional $250,000.
2020
Tennessee Titans fined for COVID-19 protocol violations
Fine or penalty
The Tennessee Titans were fined $350,000 for violations of COVID-19 protocols. The violations involved mask-wearing requirements and insufficient communication about workouts conducted outside the team's facility. The fine was reported on October 25, 2020.
The Tennessee Titans were fined $350,000 for COVID-19 protocol violations involving mask-wearing and insufficient communication about workouts outside the team's facility.
Company response
Clarification — Green Bay Packers
We respect the League's findings and we recognize the importance of adherence to the COVID protocols to keep our team and organization safe and healthy.
Source excerpt
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the fines derive from instances in which the team failed to comply with COVID-19 protocol requirements on mask-wearing and insufficient communication regarding workouts outside the team's facility.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed the Packers were fined $300,000, while Rodgers and Lazard each received fines of $14,650,
We respect the League's findings and we recognize the importance of adherence to the COVID protocols to keep our team and organization safe and healthy.