In his new lawsuit against the NFL, former NFL Network reporter Jim Trotter alleges that the league exercises control of NFL Media.

Trotter makes specific allegations regarding his efforts to report information learned regarding the cancellation of the Buffalo Bills-Cincinnati Bengals game on January 2, 2023, after Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field.

While trying to report on the league's desire for the game to resume in the days following, Trotter was told by one league official to "stand down" in his reporting on the story.