In a recent development in the world of American football media, former NFL reporter Jim Trotter has reached a settlement in his retaliation lawsuit against the NFL. The lawsuit, originally filed in 2023, accused the league of retaliating against Trotter after they chose not to renew his contract as a journalist covering NFL news.
At the core of Trotter’s allegations was the claim that the NFL was displeased with his inquiries to commissioner Roger Goodell regarding the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the newsroom. Trotter believed that the league was actively suppressing Black journalists from covering the predominantly Black player pool in the NFL.
Furthermore, the lawsuit also contained allegations that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula made racist comments about the league’s players. These serious accusations shed light on potential issues within the inner workings of the NFL.
Although the specific terms of the settlement were not disclosed to the public, Trotter took to his personal X account to announce the resolution. In a statement, Trotter expressed, “The NFL and I have agreed to resolve my lawsuit. I will be creating a scholarship foundation for journalism students at HBCUs, and the NFL has agreed to support this initiative with a donation. I am honored to have the opportunity to assist and empower HBCU students in pursuing their goals and aspirations, just as scholarships helped me during my time at Howard University.”
This settlement marks an important turning point in Trotter’s legal battle against the NFL, and the establishment of a scholarship foundation signifies a positive outcome for both parties involved. Moving forward, the impact of this lawsuit and subsequent settlement may have far-reaching implications for diversity and inclusion within the NFL and sports journalism as a whole.
