Report: Jon Gruden contemplating legal action against the NFL

Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is considering legal action against the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell, according to CBS Sports insider Jason La Canfora. Gruden resigned from his position after a series of emails containing racist, misogynistic and homophobic language were uncovered by the Wall Street Journal.

After parting ways with the Raiders organization, Jon Gruden settled with longtime friend Mark Davis. However, legal action against the NFL could allege intentional interference with his contractual relationship with the Raiders.

NBC Sports provides important details on the regular language of coaching contracts, which could nullify any legal actions. According to their report, most firings, resignations and other departures contain a general release of liability. Since the Las Vegas Raiders comprise 1/32nd of the NFL’s interests, there is often detailed language barring rights against the league or its commissioner.

La Canfora’s report does not mention whether such language exists within Gruden’s Las Vegas settlement.

Jon Gruden’s resignation came midway through his fourth season as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. In 2018 he signed a record 10-year $100 million contract to take over the position from Jack Del Rio. The two-time Raiders coach also has a no-trade clause built into the contract. In his second stint with the Raiders, Gruden finishes 22-31 and never his team to the playoffs in three seasons.

Jon Gruden email controversy

A story released by the Wall Street Journal describing an email sent by Gruden back in July of 2011. They contained the use of a racist trope directed at NFL players of association executive director DeMaurice Smith sparked an investigation and ensuing fallout.

Gruden sent the email during a lockout by the players over the 2011 summer. He sent the email after the NFLPA chose not to vote on a collective bargaining agreement ratified by the league’s owners. At the time of the email, Gruden was a color commentator for ESPN. During that time he was one of the analysts for the network’s Monday Night Football telecast.

Later, The New York Times detailed in a report that Jon Gruden made more offensive comments than those initially revealed in his emails. The emails under review were sent by Gruden to Bruce Allen, the former president of the Washington Football Team.

Jon Gruden revealed via ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that his emails also included harsh words for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. He issued an apology regarding the email via The Wall Street Journal, saying the email had no racial intent. However, he did admit he believed his email went “too far.”