NFL Lawsuit: First Female Official Alleges Discrimination

Robin DeLorenzo, one of the first women to officiate in the National Football League, has filed a lawsuit against the NFL alleging gender discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The suit was filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, following DeLorenzo’s termination during the 2025 offseason.

Details of the Allegations

According to the lawsuit, DeLorenzo was “subjected to gender-based scrutiny, humiliation, disparate training, unequal gear, and open hostility” during her employment with the NFL from April 2022 to February 2025. The complaint asserts she was denied the same support and development opportunities as her male colleagues.

Unequal Treatment and Harassment

The lawsuit claims DeLorenzo faced a grading system “built and controlled by men who had fixated on her gender from day one.” She alleges punishment for reporting harassment and requesting respectful treatment. The complaint states the NFL “silenced complaints, rewarded the men who mistreated her, and ultimately terminated her using the very metrics corrupted by that discrimination.”

Specific Incidents Detailed

The lawsuit details several specific instances of alleged discrimination. DeLorenzo was reportedly directed to style her hair in a way that highlighted her femininity, and often had to purchase her own equipment due to sizing issues. She was also allegedly “forced” to participate in a college-level football clinic that the lawsuit describes as a humiliating attempt to hinder her career.

NFL's Response

In a statement to The Times, the NFL denied the allegations, stating, “The NFL is committed to providing a fair and supportive environment for all of its game officials.” The league maintains DeLorenzo was terminated due to “three seasons of documented underperformance” and calls the lawsuit’s claims “baseless.”

Defendants Named in the Lawsuit

Walter Anderson, the NFL’s former senior vice president of officiating, and Byron Boston, a former NFL official with supervisory responsibilities, are named as co-defendants in the suit. An NFL spokesperson stated Anderson would not be commenting on the matter, and attempts to reach Boston for comment were unsuccessful.

Seeking Reinstatement and Damages

DeLorenzo, who has nearly two decades of experience as an official at various levels of football, is seeking to be reinstated as an NFL official and compensated for lost earnings, in addition to unspecified damages. The NFL Referees Assn. previously filed a grievance regarding the college clinic issue, resulting in reimbursement for DeLorenzo’s expenses.