Ex-NFL Official Robin DeLorenzo Files Gender Discrimination Lawsuit
Robin DeLorenzo, a former NFL official, has filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the league and two ex-officials. This legal action adds to the NFL’s ongoing labor disputes with the NFL Referees Association.
Details of the Lawsuit
The suit names the NFL, Walt Anderson, the former NFL senior vice president of officiating, and Byron Boston, a previous officiating coach. DeLorenzo’s case was first reported by Tez Romero of HCAmag.com, with further confirmation from Football Zebras.
DeLorenzo was employed by the NFL as a game official for the 2022 season but was terminated after the 2025 season. She claims the defendants subjected her to “discrimination, humiliation, and retaliation.” Her attorney, Krista DiMercurio, emphasized the disparity between the NFL’s public commitments to diversity and inclusion and DeLorenzo’s experiences during her tenure.
Allegations of Discrimination
The lawsuit outlines several specific instances of alleged mistreatment. One notable incident involved Walt Anderson instructing DeLorenzo to wear her hair in a ponytail to visibly signify her gender as an official. When she expressed her concerns to John Hussey, her referee crew leader, he reportedly dismissed her worries, questioning her authority and insisting she comply with Anderson’s directive.
The complaint presents a total of 12 causes of action, including:
- Gender discrimination
- Harassment
- Retaliation
These claims are based on Title VII of federal civil rights law, as well as the civil rights statutes of New York State, New York City, and New Jersey.
NFL’s Response
The NFL has publicly responded to the allegations, asserting its commitment to provide a fair environment for all officials. The league stated that DeLorenzo’s termination was a result of three seasons of documented underperformance. Additionally, they described the claims in her lawsuit as unfounded and pledged to defend against them vigorously in court.
This lawsuit highlights ongoing issues within the NFL regarding workplace equity and raises significant questions about the treatment of female officials in a traditionally male-dominated sport.
