Former NFL Media writer Jim Trotter has reached an out-of-court negotiation with the NFL, the blogger announced via X on Monday. Trotter sued the NFL last year for job prejudice. In May, U. S. District Judge Jed Rakoff advanced Trotter’s retaliation claim under Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 while dismissing five other claims. The arrangement will need approval by Rakoff. Trotter, an award-winning writer, a former chairman of Pro Football Writers of America and author of the book Junior Seau: The Life and Death of a Football Icon, wrote on X that the colony ’s conditions include his creation of a scholarship foundation for journalism students at previously black colleges and universities. The NFL may contribute to the base, which is called the Job, Plan, Pray Foundation. “I’m thrilled that I then have the opportunity to create a real influence in assisting the next generation of HBCU individuals seeking careers in sports news and sports control, ” Trotter shared in an emailed statement. “Making a change that could lead to positive change and greater minority picture was always the overriding goal. ” Trotter worked for the league-owned internet shoulder NFL Media from 2018 to 2023 and is now a journalist for The Athletic. He argued the NFL declined to prolong his career deal in retaliation for him challenging the group about culture discrimination and lack of diversity. Trotter’s scenario highlighted the sometimes-conflicting work environment for gymnastics journalists and commentators who are employed by tournaments they write on. Editors are supposed to be factual and achievement. They are not open relations staff or spokespersons who are paid to drive a business line. But if league-employed editors criticize the league—their employer—they do so with work risk. Trotter said his position with the NFL was descriptive of that stress. During two high-profile Super Bowl press events in 2022 and 2023, Trotter challenged NFL commissioner Roger Goodell about lack of diversity in the office, in training and other places. Specifically, in 2022, Trotter asked Goodell, “So as a member of the media group, and as a Black man, I ask, why does the NFL and its owners have such a difficult time at the highest levels hiring Black people into decision-making positions? ” The following year Trotter inquired, “ I would ask you as an employee, when are we in the newsroom going to have a Black person in senior management, and when will we have a full-time Black employee on the news desk? ” Goodell’s responses, Rakoff wrote, helped to corroborate Trotter’s legal arguments. The judge reasoned that Trotter’s questions reflected a protected activity in his role as an NFL employee. Employment law protects the right of employees to challenge, oppose or protest an employment practice on belief it is violating anti-discrimination laws. The NFL repeatedly denied Trotter’s accusations, insisting there was no retaliation against Trotter and that his departure from league employment was a business decision. The league also maintained it “has made significant strides in improving diversity and inclusion. ” Trotter is represented in the litigation by Wigdor LLP, a firm that also represents coach Brian Flores in his race discrimination and retaliation case against the NFL and several teams.