Jon Gruden back in professional football, joins Arena Football One League team's ownership group
Context:
Jon Gruden has made a return to professional football by joining the ownership group of the Nashville Kats in the Arena Football One League. Although he will not be a head coach, Gruden will contribute in consulting and advisory roles across the team's football and business operations. His return to the sport comes after his resignation from the Las Vegas Raiders due to controversial emails that surfaced, which contained offensive language. Despite a lawsuit filed against the NFL for contract interference, which was initially ruled in favor of the NFL, Gruden remains influential in the sport. His involvement with the Nashville Kats is alongside Jeff Fisher, a former NFL head coach who is also the commissioner of the Arena Football One League and the president of the Kats.
Dive Deeper:
Jon Gruden, previously a head coach in the NFL, has joined the Nashville Kats as a part-owner in the Arena Football One League, marking his return to professional football in a non-NFL capacity.
Gruden's role with the Nashville Kats will focus on consulting and advisory, impacting both football and business operations, rather than coaching directly.
His return comes after a controversial exit from the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 due to leaked emails containing offensive content, which led to his resignation.
Gruden had filed a lawsuit against the NFL citing contract interference, but the Nevada Supreme Court sided with the NFL; the case is pending further review by a larger court.
The Arena Football One League's Nashville Kats ownership group includes Jeff Fisher, who has a dual role as the league's commissioner and the team's president.
Despite the controversy, Gruden has maintained connections to football through roles such as an advisory position with the New Orleans Saints and contributions to sports media via Barstool Sports.
His brother, Jay Gruden, has a successful history in the Arena Football League, with multiple titles as both a player and a coach, highlighting a family legacy in diverse football leagues.