Johnnie Cochran threatens to sue NFL - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 10-01-2002, 03:17 PM

http://msn.espn.go.com/nfl/news/2002/0930/1439447.html

BALTIMORE -- Attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr. released a report Monday that criticizes the NFL's hiring practice involving black head coaches, and threatened to sue the league if it does not adhere to suggestions to remedy the situation.

The report, called "Black Coaches in the National Football League: Superior Performance, Inferior Opportunities,'' was compiled by the Washington law firm of Mehri & Skalet.

It addresses the league's hiring and firing of minority coaches, using statistical information compiled over the last 15 years.

Calls to the NFL on Monday night were not immediately returned.

Dr. Janice Madden, a labor economist, determined that black coaches averaged 1.1 more wins per season than white coaches and led their teams to the playoffs 67 percent of the time compared with 39 percent of the time for white coaches.

But Cochran noted there have been only five black head coaches since 1986 -- Art Shell, Dennis Green, Tony Dungy, Ray Rhodes and Herman Edwards. Only Indianapolis' Dungy and Edwards of the New York Jets are currently employed as head coaches.

"Black coaches are being held to a higher standard,'' Cochran said at a news conference. "Now is the time for the NFL to step up and make a change.''

To stimulate the hiring of African-Americans as head coaches, Cochran proposed that commissioner Paul Tagliabue "reward at least one team each year for developing a diverse front office'' with a draft pick.

He also asked the NFL to require team owners to include "diverse racial groups'' when interviewing candidates for coaching positions. According to the report, "owners can choose to opt out of this requirement ... but to do so they must forfeit a draft pick.''

Cochran suggested teams surrender a first-round pick for refusing to interview minorities for head coaching jobs, and a third-round pick for not interviewing minorities for assistant head coach or coordinator.

The creators of the report plan to talk to Tagliabue about their proposal in the next few days. Cochran said he is prepared to take legal action.

"We can litigate this. We can bring a lawsuit,'' Cochran said. "I think the NFL is reasonable. They understand that this can end up in the courts, and they'd rather not see that happen. But let's see if we can have a dialogue. You only litigate after you've done everything you can to negotiate.''

Cyrus Mehri, whose name is under Cochran's on the report, served as counsel in two of the largest race discrimination cases in history, involving Texaco and Coca-Cola.

"We're asking for a fair opportunity to compete,'' Mehri said.

Cochran said he doesn't want to bully the NFL or make money on the deal.

"Our motives are driven not by personal desire or financial gain, but to correct what we see as a great inequity in America's game,'' Cochran said.

Mehri said black coaches have less of a chance to retain their job than their white counterparts.

"One bad year and you're out,'' he said. "There seems to be a lack of patience as far as black coaches are concerned."

mashunter18 · 12-05-2002, 10:39 PM

Quote:

"Our motives are driven not by personal desire or financial gain, but to correct what we see as a great inequity in America's game,'' Cochran said

Thas a bunch of bull $itt,maybe some white lawyers should start sueing the nba since it is mostly black players.Gimmie a break

bandito · 12-05-2002, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mashunter18

Thas a bunch of bull $itt,maybe some white lawyers should start sueing the nba since it is mostly black players.Gimmie a break

has anybody noticed lately the ratio of white & black players in the nfl. id have to say the whites are the minority.

Janice · 12-09-2002, 12:47 PM

I can't stand Johnny Cochran. I don't know how he lives with himself after the Simpson trial.

bandito · 12-09-2002, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice
I can't stand Johnny Cochran. I don't know how he lives with himself after the Simpson trial.

he has absolutley no morals. its all about MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.

Brian Damage · 12-09-2002, 06:13 PM

So basically Cochran wants more minorities hired as head coaches. What if they're not qualified? Should the NFL just hire more minorities because they are minorities? That's bull****!

UpstairsSteak · 12-09-2002, 07:19 PM

His motives are so transparent and only cause problems for the people involved while he laughs all the way to the bank. Dennis Greene stunk as a head coach as did Art Shell, they should have been fired long before they actually were. Dungy is proving with the Colts why they got rid of him in Tampa. Herm Edwards is great and I believe that Ray Rhodes will coach again. Why should anyone be forced to hire someone that isn't qualified just because of their race. It is bull****! Doesn't that play directly into false stereotypes?

bandito · 12-09-2002, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UpstairsSteak
His motives are so transparent and only cause problems for the people involved while he laughs all the way to the bank. Dennis Greene stunk as a head coach as did Art Shell, they should have been fired long before they actually were. Dungy is proving with the Colts why they got rid of him in Tampa. Herm Edwards is great and I believe that Ray Rhodes will coach again. Why should anyone be forced to hire someone that isn't qualified just because of their race. It is bull****! Doesn't that play directly into false stereotypes?

i agree it does play into false sterio types i believe the owner of the team has the right to hire whomever they feel can do the best job for their team. regardless of race

blackbeard · 12-11-2002, 03:55 PM

Race should not be an issue as to who is hired to be a coach. If he wants to go by a strict quota then the NBA should be only about 15% black and then he is going to have to teach the out of work ballplayers how to skate because the NHL needs more black skaters.

10-01-2002, 03:17 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,227	Johnnie Cochran threatens to sue NFL http://msn.espn.go.com/nfl/news/2002/0930/1439447.html BALTIMORE -- Attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr. released a report Monday that criticizes the NFL's hiring practice involving black head coaches, and threatened to sue the league if it does not adhere to suggestions to remedy the situation. The report, called "Black Coaches in the National Football League: Superior Performance, Inferior Opportunities,'' was compiled by the Washington law firm of Mehri & Skalet. It addresses the league's hiring and firing of minority coaches, using statistical information compiled over the last 15 years. Calls to the NFL on Monday night were not immediately returned. Dr. Janice Madden, a labor economist, determined that black coaches averaged 1.1 more wins per season than white coaches and led their teams to the playoffs 67 percent of the time compared with 39 percent of the time for white coaches. But Cochran noted there have been only five black head coaches since 1986 -- Art Shell, Dennis Green, Tony Dungy, Ray Rhodes and Herman Edwards. Only Indianapolis' Dungy and Edwards of the New York Jets are currently employed as head coaches. "Black coaches are being held to a higher standard,'' Cochran said at a news conference. "Now is the time for the NFL to step up and make a change.'' To stimulate the hiring of African-Americans as head coaches, Cochran proposed that commissioner Paul Tagliabue "reward at least one team each year for developing a diverse front office'' with a draft pick. He also asked the NFL to require team owners to include "diverse racial groups'' when interviewing candidates for coaching positions. According to the report, "owners can choose to opt out of this requirement ... but to do so they must forfeit a draft pick.'' Cochran suggested teams surrender a first-round pick for refusing to interview minorities for head coaching jobs, and a third-round pick for not interviewing minorities for assistant head coach or coordinator. The creators of the report plan to talk to Tagliabue about their proposal in the next few days. Cochran said he is prepared to take legal action. "We can litigate this. We can bring a lawsuit,'' Cochran said. "I think the NFL is reasonable. They understand that this can end up in the courts, and they'd rather not see that happen. But let's see if we can have a dialogue. You only litigate after you've done everything you can to negotiate.'' Cyrus Mehri, whose name is under Cochran's on the report, served as counsel in two of the largest race discrimination cases in history, involving Texaco and Coca-Cola. "We're asking for a fair opportunity to compete,'' Mehri said. Cochran said he doesn't want to bully the NFL or make money on the deal. "Our motives are driven not by personal desire or financial gain, but to correct what we see as a great inequity in America's game,'' Cochran said. Mehri said black coaches have less of a chance to retain their job than their white counterparts. "One bad year and you're out,'' he said. "There seems to be a lack of patience as far as black coaches are concerned."

12-09-2002, 06:13 PM	#6
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	So basically Cochran wants more minorities hired as head coaches. What if they're not qualified? Should the NFL just hire more minorities because they are minorities? That's bull****!
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

12-09-2002, 12:47 PM	#4
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I can't stand Johnny Cochran. I don't know how he lives with himself after the Simpson trial.

12-09-2002, 07:19 PM	#7
UpstairsSteak Shine On Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 30, 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 303	His motives are so transparent and only cause problems for the people involved while he laughs all the way to the bank. Dennis Greene stunk as a head coach as did Art Shell, they should have been fired long before they actually were. Dungy is proving with the Colts why they got rid of him in Tampa. Herm Edwards is great and I believe that Ray Rhodes will coach again. Why should anyone be forced to hire someone that isn't qualified just because of their race. It is bull****! Doesn't that play directly into false stereotypes?

12-11-2002, 03:55 PM	#9
blackbeard B.O.G. Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 05, 2001 Location: Constitution State Posts: 712	Race should not be an issue as to who is hired to be a coach. If he wants to go by a strict quota then the NBA should be only about 15% black and then he is going to have to teach the out of work ballplayers how to skate because the NHL needs more black skaters.