The Missouri Supreme Court said on Tuesday it will not make a decision on an age discrimination lawsuit against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The court will send the case back to a lower court for further action.
About the lawsuit
The suit involved Steve Cox, who used to work for the team as a maintenance manager. Cox filed a lawsuit claiming the Chiefs fired him because of his age in 2010; he was 61 years old. The Chiefs claim they let him go because of poor performance and giving an employee a raise without permission.
A jury ruled in favor of the team in March 2013, but Cox appealed his case to the state Supreme Court. The court heard the case in April 2015.
Why the Supreme Court is sending the case back down
According to the opinion issued by the Missouri Supreme Court, the lower court didn’t act appropriately when it came to evidence, including some circumstantial evidence.
MORE: Click here to read the Missouri Supreme Court’s opinion.
Chad C. Beaver with Beaver Law Firm, LLC, the firm representing Cox, sent 41 Action News the following statement:
"The Supreme Court’s ruling today is a well-reasoned and thoughtful opinion. We see it as a full vindication of Steve Cox’s claims. For the very first time, we will present ALL of the relevant evidence supporting Steve Cox's theory of his age discrimination case. We will also be allowed—for the very first time—to speak with Clark Hunt under oath about the manner in which he restructured the Kansas City Chiefs’ front office during the Scott Pioli era. Today was a good day, and it follows many years of effort by those who have fought hard on Steve's behalf. We’re proud to represent Steve Cox."
The Kansas City Chiefs sent 41 Action News the following statement regarding the decision:
“Of course, we are disappointed that the Missouri Supreme Court did not uphold the verdict of the Jackson County Jury which found that the Chiefs did not discriminate. The Supreme Court’s ruling makes no finding on the merits of the case. This decision, however, only means that the case will be retried. When this case is retried, we will continue to defend the decisions which were made, and we believe the next Jury will reach the same conclusion that the previous Jury reached – that the Chiefs do not discriminate.”
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