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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is putting the NFL on notice, warning that the league’s Rooney Rule is illegal in the state.
What they’re saying:
In a social media post Wednesday, Uthmeier said he could pursue “civil rights enforcement action” if the NFL attempts to enforce the policy with Florida’s three NFL teams.
The Rooney Rule requires teams to interview at least two minority candidates for senior football operations jobs before making a hire. In 2022, the league expanded the policy to require every team to have at least one minority coach on its offensive staff.
Uthmeier called the rule and similar diversity initiatives “brazen” violations of Florida law.
“We’re demanding the NFL suspend the Rooney Rule, and failure to do so may result in enforcement actions against the league for race-based discrimination,” Uthmeier said in a video posted to his X account.
What is the Rooney Rule?
The Rooney Rule was introduced in 2003 and named after late Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney.
It was created after the firings of two successful Black head coaches — Tony Dungy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dennis Green of the Minnesota Vikings — raised concerns about hiring practices across the league.
The policy is intended to increase opportunities for minority candidates in leadership roles, including head coach, general manager and executive positions.
Dig deeper:
The rule has long been part of a broader debate about diversity in the NFL.
More than half of the league’s players are Black, but representation among head coaches remains low. There are currently only three Black head coaches in the NFL.
Critics argue the rule has not been effective. Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit against the league alleging some teams conducted “sham” interviews with minority candidates to comply with the rule.
During the most recent hiring cycle, none of the 10 head coaching vacancies were filled by an African American candidate.
What’s next:
Uthmeier said he has given the NFL until May 1 to confirm it will not enforce the Rooney Rule for Florida teams.
It’s unclear how the league will respond or whether any legal action will follow.
The Source: This story is based on a public statement from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, along with reporting from the Florida News Service and background on the NFL’s Rooney Rule and related legal challenges.