Jon Gruden’s legal battle against the NFL intensifies

The legal battle between Jon Gruden, former head coach of the Raiders and Buccaneers, and the NFL is reaching a critical stage.

In a report filed on February 4, 2026, Gruden's lawyers estimated their client's financial losses at a staggering amount: more than $150 million.

This colossal sum is intended to compensate for the loss of his job, damage to his reputation, and the loss of sponsorship contracts and future opportunities. As a reminder, Gruden was forced to resign in 2021 after private emails sent years earlier were leaked. The former coach claims that the league and Commissioner Roger Goodell orchestrated the leaks to force him out.

The list of potential witnesses unveiled by Gruden's defense reads like a “Who's Who” of American football. It includes not only Goodell, but also influential owners such as Jerry Jones (Cowboys), Robert Kraft (Patriots), and Mark Davis (Raiders), as well as former Commanders owner Daniel Snyder.

The mysterious “blackmail” file at the heart of the evidence

One of the most striking elements of the report concerns the documents Gruden is demanding from the NFL. His lawyers are calling for the immediate disclosure of 650,000 documents from the Wilkinson investigation into the Washington Commanders. Even more intriguing, they mention the existence of a presentation titled “Blackmail PowerPoint. “

This document, allegedly presented by Daniel Snyder to the NFL, reportedly contains compromising communications involving Roger Goodell and former general counsel Jeff Pash. If this file is made public, it could cause an unprecedented shockwave in the Park Avenue offices.

For now, no settlement discussions have taken place, and the NFL continues to challenge the validity of the proceedings in civil court, preferring private arbitration. After four years of legal wrangling, the Gruden lawsuit finally seems to be approaching a conclusion that could redefine the league's power over its coaches.

This content was created with the help of AI.