A Word: Sidelined by Racism?
The NFL is a multi-billion dollar business, with a player population that\u2019s more than 60 percent African American. Yet the league\u2019s owners, leadership, and reporters don\u2019t reflect that diversity. In his role as an NFL Media journalist, Jim Trotter repeatedly questioned officials, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, about the league\u2019s lack of diversity. After he lost his job, Trotter filed a lawsuit, claiming racial discrimination and retaliation. On today\u2019s episode of A Word, Trotter joins host Jason Johnson to talk about career, his court case, and the importance of having more African American journalists covering professional football.\n\nSandy Nunes, Vice President Talent Management On-Air at National Football League, declined to comment\n\nStephen A. Smith, host of ESPN\u2019s First Take, declined to comment.\n\n\nBuffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula previously denied Jim Trotter\u2019s allegations.\n\n\nDallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones previously denied much of Trotter\u2019s account, saying \u201cSome of the representation is not accurate\u201d in response to the lawsuit.\n\n\xa0\nGuest: Jim Trotter, senior opinion writer for The Athletic\n\nPodcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola\n\nYou can skip all the ads in A Word by joining Slate Plus. Sign up now at slate.com/awordplus for $15 for your first three months.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices