NFL's Motion to Dismiss Ex-Raiders HC Jon Gruden's Lawsuit Denied by Judge

A judge dismissed the NFL's motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, according to The Athletic's Tashan Reed.

Reed noted the case could now go to discovery and speculated the NFL might want to head that off by reaching a settlement.

Gruden resigned from his post last October after emails surfaced in which he used anti-gay, racist and misogynistic language in correspondence. The emails were unearthed as the NFL investigated the workplace culture of the Washington Commanders.

In November, Gruden filed suit against the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell and alleged he was the victim of a "malicious and orchestrated campaign."

NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy responded to say the "allegations are entirely meritless and the NFL will vigorously defend against these claim."

The league filed its motion to dismiss the suit in January and also tried to get the case moved into arbitration.

This lawsuit's connection to the Commanders investigation might open the door for significantly damaging information to be made public in discovery.

Following the investigation, Washington received a $10 million fine, and Tanya Snyder assumed day-to-day duties running the organization from her husband. The NFL declined to supply the full findings of the investigation, though, with Beth Wilkinson sharing a verbal summary to league officials.

Through the Gruden lawsuit, some of those findings could presumably come to light if the discovery phase proceeds.