The Tennessee Titans are refuting reports that they have hired Jeremy Walls, an Arizona Cardinals’ executive who is currently named in a discrimination lawsuit, as its executive vice president and chief business officer.
"We have not yet made a final selection for our open CBO role," a Titans spokesperson said in a statement to The Tennessean. "We look forward to providing an update when that process is complete."
Jared Stillman first reported on Oct. 14 that the Titans have hired Walls.
The Titans fired three front-office members on Oct. 7 with plans to restructure, including the hire of a chief business officer to lead their revenue, marketing and communications teams.
Walls, the Cardinals and team owner Michael Bidwill are accused of discriminatory
behavior in a lawsuit filed on May 26 by former executive assistant Kendra Hogue and former assistant coach Don Shumpert, according to the Arizona Republic.
The suit against Walls alleges racial discrimination and retaliation. Hogue and Shumpert, who are Black, also claimed defamation and constructive termination, according to The Arizona Republic.
Hogue was Walls’ assistant. Shumpert’s claims focus on a dispute about his promotion to running backs coach and pay rate, in addition to hostile work interactions.
Walls announced in August plans to step down after the 2026 season.
"The team strongly denies these claims and will prove they have no merit," the Cardinals said in a statement provided to The Arizona Republic. "Because it is an active legal matter, the team will refrain from further comment."
A federal judge sent the lawsuit to NFL arbitration, where league commissioner Roger Goodell's office will select an arbitrator. NFL contract dispute are subject to arbitration.
Who is Arizona Cardinals executive Jeremy Walls?
Walls was hired by the Cardinals to “realign and refocus the team's various business departments.”
Walls hired “over 100 new staff members — many in leadership positions … (including) business partners, building out a new business intelligence team (and) implementing a strategic business planning process,” during his time in Phoenix, according to his Arizona Cardinals bio.
He also moved Arizona’s entire business staff into a “new open concept office down the street” from the Cardinals’ training center.
Before Arizona, Walls spent 10 seasons with the Miami Dolphins, both as senior vice president and chief revenue officer. He led efforts in corporate partnerships, marketing, ticket sales and operations, member services, suites and food/beverage operations.
The Titans on Oct. 7 fired senior vice president and chief revenue officer Adam Nuse, senior vice president of brand marketing Erin Swartz and vice president of creative Charles Jensen.
Tennessee is transitioning to a new $2.2 billion Nissan Stadium before the 2027 season. Nuse was critical to the development and vision of the new stadium, leading revenue-generating efforts.
Tyler Palmateer covers the Tennessee Titans for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans refute report about hiring Arizona executive involved in lawsuit
