In a time of intense scrutiny over diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the corporate and sporting arenas in the United States, a new federal lawsuit has rocked two giants: the Los Angeles Dodgers and investment firm Guggenheim Partners. The complaint, filed Tuesday with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleges “unlawful discrimination” by both entities.
The lawsuit was filed by America First Legal (AFL), a conservative nonprofit organization, which accuses the companies, both run by Mark Walter (majority owner of the Dodgers and CEO of Guggenheim), of using their DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programs for discriminatory purposes.
AFL argues that the employment practices of the Dodgers and Guggenheim Partners, under the alleged banner of diversity, “appear to discriminate against employees or prospective employees, solely on the basis of the color of their skin or their sex“. The complaint argues that inclusive terminology is used to “segregate or classify” individuals, depriving them of employment opportunities or training because of their race, color, sex or national origin.
Problems for the Dodgers
As evidence, AFL directly cites the Dodgers’ DEI website, which mentions the sponsorship of “programs led by women and people of color” and the integration of DEI strategies “into every aspect of the organization.”
The complaint also notes that “Business Resource Groups” (BRGs), such as “Asian Professionals,” “Black Action Network,” “SOMOS La” (aimed at Latino employees) and “Women’s Opportunity Network,” appear to “provide material employment benefits” based on protected characteristics
What stage is the complaint at?
The federal civil rights complaint filed against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Guggenheim Partners is in its early stages: it was formally filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on June 30, 2025.
Once a complaint is filed, the EEOC reviews it to determine whether it meets jurisdictional requirements and whether there are grounds to proceed with an investigation. This is a process that can take time, so there is still a wait, especially a defense from the companies, as neither the Los Angeles Dodgers nor Guggenheim Partners have commented on the matter.
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