March 11, 2026
Godfrey Howard says things changed when the Grizzlies hired Jason Pagenkopf, described as “a younger white male” in 2023.
The NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies are in hot water after a former security guard filed a wrongful discrimination lawsuit accusing the team of replacing most of its all-Black security team with young, white officers after the current director was hired, Action News 5 reports.
Godfrey Howard filed the suit on March 5, claiming he was fired simply because he was Black. The longtime member of the Memphis Police Department had worked for the Grizzlies for 23 years prior to being fired in 2024. He also served as interim director of the security fleet when a former director resigned.
Howard said things started to change when the Grizzlies hired Jason Pagenkopf, described as “a younger white male,” in 2023 instead of Howard. He claims he didn’t even know the team was looking to fill the position permanently.
Instead, according to the lawsuit, Howard “was terminated on or about April 25, 2024. Plaintiff received no separation notice or reason for the termination.”
Filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency, which recently called for more white men to file workplace discrimination grievances, gave Howard the green light to continue the suit.
According to Hoodline Memphis, a person who files a charge can request a right-to-sue letter after 80 days or receive one after the federal agency finalizes its investigation. Once issued, the notice is known to give 90 days to file suit. In also asking for his job back, Howard wants the Grizzlies to pay back wages, additional monetary relief, and a jury trial.
The lawsuit comes as the future of the Grizzlies playing downtown in FedExForum is unknown, amid lease negotiations and renovation talks between the team and city officials. Additional high-profile employment disputes could draw extra attention from the public as local leaders and businesses weigh in on what the next decade with (or without) the Grizzlies could look like.
Back in 2001, while still serving as an MPD officer, Howard began working part-time for the security team and wasn’t promoted to serve as an official security guard for the players during home and away games until 12 years later.
He opted to continue working as a security guard at FedEx Arena following the 2012-13 NBA season but resumed his role with the Grizzlies in 2021.
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