Sealed Decision in Brian Flores Case: Korn Ferry Document Remains Under Judicial Seal

The Brian Flores antitrust lawsuit against the NFL and four franchises—including the Dolphins, Texans, Giants, and Broncos—has centered on a confidential document generated by Korn Ferry during a coaching search for the Baltimore Ravens.

Korn Ferry and the NFL have urged the document remain sealed and excluded from public view, while Flores has contested that designation.

While discovery disputes in most federal civil matters are referred to a magistrate judge, this case saw that judge issue a direct ruling on the matter.

The ruling, as covered by Daniel Kaplan, is also under seal. For now.

The decision appears intended to allow the losing party an opportunity to appeal before the presiding judge. Notably, the sealed status does not indicate an outright victory for Korn Ferry; to issue a preliminary ruling, the magistrate judge likely had to reference or summarize key elements of the confidential document.

Should the case proceed to trial, the document would inevitably be aired in open court. However, that remains a distant prospect. Early release could impose an unfavorable public-relations outcome for the NFL, potentially accelerating settlement discussions and drawing heightened scrutiny from media, fans, and league overseers regarding internal decision-making processes.

At present, the key question is whether the losing party will file an appeal within the 14-day window. The party that initiates any appeal will necessarily have been the adverse side on this issue.

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