Acho, a current presenter for Fox Sports 1, discussed Flores’ class-action lawsuit against the National Football League and how it alleges that the league has discriminatory hiring practices. However, Acho turned his attention to Flores hiring a law firm with an all-white staff and no Black lawyers.
“I did a little perusing of the law firm that’s representing Brian Flores,” Acho told his co-presenter, Marcellus Wiley, “and I noticed a complete lack of diversity in that law firm. All of the partners in that law firm are white. When you go to the law firm’s web page, every person of the 19 people on that web page, you will not find one Black person.”
Acho continued, claiming that it simply does not make any sense for the former coach to hire an all-white firm for a case such as his.
“So wait a second, Brian Flores,” Acho said, “you are suing the NFL because of a lack of diversity, and your representation in suing the NFL lacks diversity. Somebody gotta make it make sense.”
The lawsuit filed by Flores alleges that the “NFL remains rife with racism,” claiming that his firing from the Dolphins was because the owners of the team wanted to lose games due to increased chances of good draft picks.
Newsweek reported that of the 129 head coaching positions that have opened up over the past 20 years, only 15 have been filled by Black coaches. The lawsuit also claims that the Black coaches that are hired are less likely to be retained as head coaches over the years.
The NFL’s Rooney Rule has been in effect since 2003 to “increase the number of minorities hired in head coach, general manager, and executive positions.” However, according to NPR, organizations such as the NAACP and the National Action Network are hoping to speak with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to change the policy.
As part of the lawsuit, Flores and Wigdor Law are seeking injunctive relief that would help increase the chances that Black aspiring coaches have of obtaining such positions. Other measures to support diversity are also being asked for.
Newsweek reached out to Wigdor Law for comment.
Update 2/9/2022, 2:27 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.