A former female NFL referee has alleged that the league’s celebrated DEI commitments failed to support her when she needed help during her pathbreaking career. One of the league’s first three women to officiate an NFL game has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the league for alleged sexism that she experienced over three years.

“Robin DeLorenzo cited gender-based scrutiny, humiliation, and open hostility among the indignities she suffered from 2022 to 2025 as a league official,” ESPN reported. “The lawsuit in Manhattan federal court, filed Friday, sought reinstatement along with unspecified damages.”

According to the lawsuit, DeLorenzo faced countless discriminatory actions, such as being sent oversized men’s uniforms, being asked to show her ponytail, and being demanded to perform a humiliating singing performance in front of players and coaches. The former referee mentioned that her crew chief often humiliated her, harassed her, and used abusive language.

Furthermore, DeLorenzo also confirmed that she was forced to participate in a ‘training opportunity’ for lower-level college officials. However, no male official had ever been required to do so, which she alleged to be ‘male power play’ for humiliating and undermining her.

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“[DeLorenzo] worked her way through two decades of officiating — breaking barriers, making history, and outperforming expectations at every level — only to be met with hostility, retaliation, and systemic inequality the moment she stepped into a league that claims to champion opportunities for women,” the lawsuit read.

However, this wasn’t always the case for Robin DeLorenzo, who often described her amazement with her role as an NFL official as she followed her father’s advice throughout her journey. This happiness surged to the next level when the NFL’s senior vice president of officiating allowed her father to deliver the news to her that she had been promoted to the NFL.

“Once he gave me the news, my dad and I just stared at each other, crying for about five minutes,” DeLorenzo told NFL.com. “It was the most magical night.”

However, on February 18, 2025, DeLorenzo was terminated after a three-year tenure, which started in 2023. Her termination letter, as per DeLorenzo, delved into her performance across all three seasons. This was the same period when she faced discrimination, harassment, and was punished for speaking up.

The lawsuit raises twelve causes of action under federal, New York state, and city, and New Jersey anti-discrimination laws, as the former NFL referee seeks reinstatement, compensatory and punitive damages, and back pay.

Given the lawsuit’s potential to harm the NFL’s reputation for inclusivity, the league issued a statement.

NFL issues statement on Robin DeLorenzo’s lawsuit

Following the lawsuit, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy confirmed through an email to ESPN that DeLorenzo was dismissed after three seasons marked by documented underperformance. However, unlike the league, the NFL Referees Association hasn’t yet issued a comment on the situation.

“The allegations in this lawsuit are baseless, and we will vigorously defend against them in court,” McCarthy said.

With Robin DeLorenzo, one of the first women to officiate an NFL game, suing the NFL over alleged sexism and harassment, questions will be raised about how serious the NFL is about its DEI commitments. Despite the league’s stance of denying her claims, the outcome of this lawsuit will force a few systemic changes for the NFL moving forward.