A fired minor league umpire has filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball (MLB), alleging sexual harassment and discrimination based on his gender (male) and sexual orientation (bisexual).
Brandon Cooper, who worked in the Arizona Complex League last year, filed the suit in federal court in Manhattan against MLB and PDL Blue Inc., an affiliated entity. He alleges that he was subjected to homophobic slurs and crude remarks by fellow umpire Gina Quartararo, who learned that he was bisexual.
Cooper claims that he reported the harassment to his superiors, but that he was instead forced to undergo sensitivity training and later fired. He alleges that his firing was part of a broader pattern of discrimination against male umpires in favor of female and minority candidates.
The lawsuit also alleges that MLB has implemented an illegal diversity quota that requires women to be promoted regardless of merit. This policy, Cooper argues, has led to a less qualified and less experienced umpiring staff.
MLB has declined to comment on the pending litigation, but the suit highlights ongoing concerns about inclusivity and fair treatment within the sport. If the allegations are proven true, it could have significant implications for MLB’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.
