NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has no plans to scrap Rooney Rule, despite Florida AG pressure
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he has no plans to end the league’s Rooney Rule despite recent objections from Florida’s attorney general, who wrote that the league’s minority hiring guidelines violate Florida state law. Goodell — speaking on Tuesday at the end of the NFL league meetings — acknowledged the changing political landscape for diversity initiatives in the U. S.
, but added that he didn’t believe there should be any legal issues with the league’s policy. “The Rooney Rule has been around a long time,” Goodell said. “We’ve evolved it, changed it.
We’ll continue to do that. ” Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a letter to Goodell last week saying the league’s 23-year-old Rooney Rule amounts to “blatant race and sex discrimination. ” The Rooney Rule requires teams to interview at least two minority candidates for head coach, general manager and coordinator positions.
At least one minority candidate must be interviewed for the quarterbacks coach position. Goodell noted that similar diversity guidelines were used in other industries. “One thing that doesn’t change is our values and we believe in diversity and its benefit to the National Football League,” Goodell said.
“We are well aware of the laws and where the laws are changing and evolving. We think the Rooney Rule is consistent with those and we certainly will engage with the Florida AG or anybody else as we have in the past to talk about our policies. ” Goodell also expressed support for the NFL Accelerator Program, which is returning in May after a hiatus in 2025.
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