Robin DeLorenzo, one of the NFL's first female referees, has filed a lawsuit alleging the league subjected her to gender-based discrimination and harassment. The complaint, filed in Manhattan federal court, claims that from 2022 until her dismissal in February 2025, DeLorenzo faced “gender-based scrutiny, humiliation and hostility.”
According to the lawsuit, DeLorenzo was instructed by her supervisor to wear her hair in a ponytail pulled through the back of her hat, rather than tucked under, to clearly mark her as a woman on the field. She reportedly considered cutting her hair due to the discomfort caused by the comments. The suit also alleges she was issued oversized men's uniforms and lacked proper undergarments or weather-appropriate gear, forcing her to buy her own equipment.
DeLorenzo further claims she was subjected to humiliating treatment, including being made to sing at a training camp—a practice usually reserved for rookie players—and being recorded against her wishes. She also alleges verbal abuse from a crew chief and being required to attend a developmental training program for lower-level college officials, a requirement not imposed on male counterparts.
The NFL has denied the allegations, calling them “baseless” and stating that DeLorenzo was terminated after “three seasons of documented underperformance.” A spokesperson said the league is committed to a fair and supportive environment for all officials and will vigorously defend against the lawsuit.
DeLorenzo, who began officiating at high school level before moving to college and then the NFL in 2022, seeks reinstatement and unspecified damages. The lawsuit names the NFL, former officiating executive Walter Anderson, and official Byron Boston as defendants.
