The NFL’s Rooney Rule has long been a topic of conversation, even debate. What does it do?

The NFL’s Rooney Rule has long been a topic of conversation, even debate. The state of Florida is among the most recent to weigh in with state Attorney General James Uthmeier saying Wednesday he has issued an investigative subpoena to the NFL regarding the rule. Uthmeier, who threatened possible enforcement actions against the league in March if it didn’t suspend the 23-year-old rule, sent the subpoena along with a letter to NFL executive vice president and attorney Ted Ullyot.

Uthmeier believes the rule violates Florida law by requiring race-based considerations in hiring. The Rooney Rule has been expanded several times over the years and now extends to searches for general managers, coordinators and quarterback coaches. Teams are required to interview at least two external minority candidates for head coach, general manager and coordinator positions.

At least one minority candidate must be interviewed for the quarterbacks coach position. Critics argue it has led to too many token interviews, designed to check off a box rather than providing a real shot at a job. That is one of the elements in the 2022 lawsuit filed by former Dolphins head coach — now Vikings defensive coordinator — Brian Flores , who accused the NFL and three teams of racist hiring practices.

What is the origin of the Rooney Rule? The rule was named after late Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, who was head of the league’s Workplace Diversity Committee at the time, and requires teams to interview diverse candidates (minority or female) for head coach, general manager and coordinator vacancies. It was designed to increase diversity in leadership by requiring in-person interviews, but it has faced criticism over the years for failing to significantly boost minority hiring.