The NFL is facing a challenge to its Rooney Rule from Florida’s attorney general. James Uthmeier has sent a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expressing concern that the Rooney Rule is discriminatory. He suggests it is based on race and sex.
Florida’s Legal Challenge to the Rooney Rule
Uthmeier’s letter to Roger Goodell stated the Rooney Rule is ‘blatant race and sex discrimination’. He believes hiring decisions should be based on merit only. Uthmeier wrote, ‘NFL fans in Florida don’t care what color their coach’s skin is. They care what colors their coach is wearing — and that those colors are winning on the football field’. According to Uthmeier, ‘The Rooney Rule and its offshoots are illegal in Florida’.
Uthmeier also posted a video to X, stating that the rule ‘violates Florida law by requiring race-based considerations in hiring’. He wants Goodell to confirm by May 1, 2026, that the NFL will no longer enforce the Rooney Rule or any variation that considers race or sex on teams in Florida. Failure to comply, Uthmeier stated, may result in a civil rights enforcement action.
NFL’s Response and Internal Review
The NFL has acknowledged receipt of the letter and is reviewing its contents. Jeff Miller, an NFL executive vice president, stated, ‘We believe our policies are consistent with the law and reflect our commitment to fairness, opportunity, and building the strongest possible teams’.
Art Rooney II, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and chair of the NFL’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee, said he had not personally seen the letter. Rooney stated that the league will have an obligation to consider Uthmeier’s demands. ‘There’s no question that the environment has changed in recent years,’ Rooney added.
He continued, ‘We do have an obligation to make sure that our policies comply with the laws, whatever the law is, and whatever the changes in law might be. We’ve got to look at that and make sure we’re in compliance… When the league’s lawyers have a chance to analyze it to determine what is it about Florida law that the attorney general is questioning, we’ll have to review that. That’s just the environment we’re existing in today.’
Background of the Rooney Rule
The Rooney Rule was adopted in 2003. It requires NFL clubs to interview two external minority candidates for vacant head coach, general manager and coordinator positions. This past offseason, Robert Saleh, coach for the Tennessee Titans who is of Lebanese descent, was the only minority candidate to land a top coaching job. No Black head coaches were hired for the 10 openings.
- The Rooney Rule requires NFL clubs to interview two external minority candidates for vacant head coach, general manager and coordinator positions.
- Adopted in 2003, it aims to increase diversity in NFL hiring practices.
- Florida’s attorney general is challenging the rule, alleging it constitutes race and sex discrimination.
Ahead of the Super Bowl, Roger Goodell said the NFL would take a closer look at the Rooney Rule. The aim is to ‘continue to make progress’ on diversity.
Politico reported that Uthmeier also sent the letter to the owners of the NFL’s three Florida-based teams.
The NFL will analyse Uthmeier’s demands to determine the implications for the league.