Two former Detroit Lions employees are suing the franchise and the National Football League, alleging they were fired "without justification" because of age and racial discrimination.
Robert Yanagi, the former director of video operation for the Lions, and Michael Richardson, the former assistant video director, filed the complaint in the non-criminal division of the Wayne County Circuit Court on April 5.
Both Yanagi, who is 58 and is of Japanese descent, and Richardson, who is 52 and African-American, were let go in January. The Detroit Free Press first reported on the lawsuit.
"We are aware of the report," the Lions said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon.