Kalyn Kahler
Multiple Authors
Florida’s attorney general is difficult the Rooney Rule and calling on the NFL to droop it or face attainable civil rights motion.
James Uthmeier sent a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday to specific concern that the Rooney Rule — which requires groups to interview exterior minority candidates for particular positions — is “blatant race and sex discrimination” and that hiring choices ought to be primarily based on advantage solely.
“NFL fans in Florida don’t care what color their coach’s skin is,” Uthmeier wrote. “They care what colors their coach is wearing — and that those colors are winning on the football field.
“The Rooney Rule and its offshoots are unlawful in Florida.”
The NFL acknowledged receiving the letter and that the league is reviewing its contents.
“We consider our insurance policies are in step with the legislation and replicate our dedication to equity, alternative, and constructing the strongest attainable groups,” NFL government vice chairman Jeff Miller stated.
Uthmeier stated in a video posted to X on Wednesday that the rule “violates Florida legislation by requiring race-based concerns in hiring.” In the letter, Uthmeier asked Goodell to “affirm no later than May 1, 2026, that the NFL will not implement the Rooney Rule or any variation or extension thereof — which requires consideration of race, intercourse, or another prohibited classification — on groups in Florida. Failure to offer such affirmation might lead to a civil rights enforcement motion.”
Politico reported that Uthmeier also sent the letter to the owners of the NFL’s three Florida-based teams.
The Rooney Rule, adopted in 2003, requires NFL clubs to interview two external minority candidates for vacant head coach, general manager and coordinator positions. This offseason, Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh, who is of Lebanese descent, was the only minority candidate to land a top coaching job, and no Black head coaches were hired for the 10 openings.
Ahead of the Super Bowl, Goodell said the NFL would take a more in-depth look on the Rooney Rule and all that it encompasses to “proceed to make progress” on diversity.
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II, who is the chair of the NFL’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee and whose father, Dan, is the namesake of the rule, told ESPN on Friday that he had not seen the letter personally but that the league will have an obligation to consider Uthmeier’s demands.
“There’s no query that the atmosphere has modified lately,” Rooney told ESPN. “We do have an obligation to make it possible for our insurance policies adjust to the legal guidelines, regardless of the legislation is, and regardless of the adjustments in legislation could be. We’ve acquired to have a look at that and ensure we’re in compliance. … When the league’s attorneys have an opportunity to investigate it to find out what’s it about Florida legislation that the attorney general is questioning, we’ll need to assessment that. That’s simply the atmosphere we’re present in immediately.”
