Florida AG Pressures NFL to Scrap Rooney Rule Over DEI Concerns
Florida’s attorney general says the NFL’s recent tweaks to its Rooney Rule policy aren’t enough — and he’s threatening enforcement action if the league doesn’t scrap the 23-year-old minority hiring program entirely.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is intensifying his campaign against the NFL’s Rooney Rule, declaring that recent changes the league made to its hiring policy language do not go far enough and vowing to continue pressing the NFL until it fully repeals the program.
What Is the Rooney Rule?
The Rooney Rule is a 23-year-old NFL policy named after the late Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney. Since 2003, the rule has required NFL owners to interview non-white candidates for coaching and front office positions.
Under the current rule, teams must interview at least two non-white candidates from outside their organization when hiring for head coaching, general manager, and coordinator roles. Teams are also required to interview at least one non-white candidate for quarterback coach positions.
Uthmeier’s Escalating Pressure
Uthmeier, 38, a DeSantis appointee, began pressing the NFL in March, warning the league that failure to eliminate the Rooney Rule could trigger enforcement action. “Failure to do so may result in enforcement actions against the league for race-based discrimination. NFL teams and their fans don’t care about the race of the coaching staff. They want a merit-based system that gives their team the best chance to win,” Uthmeier said at the time.
In response to the attorney general’s threats, the NFL revised the language describing the Rooney Rule on its website. Rather than accepting the changes as a resolution, Uthmeier argued the revisions amounted to an admission of guilt and pointed to what he called “deceptive and unfair business practices” by the league.
Uthmeier subsequently subpoenaed the NFL over the rule, according to the Florida Phoenix. He has pledged to keep fighting until the NFL repeals the policy entirely.
Broader Context
Uthmeier’s push aligns with Governor Ron DeSantis’s broader anti-DEI stance, which has driven a range of policy actions in Florida targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across various institutions.
The Rooney Rule has long been viewed as a mechanism to address longstanding disparities in NFL hiring. Former New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has spoken to the importance of acknowledging race in such discussions. “I do see color, because I believe if you don’t see color, you can’t see racism,” Mayo said.
The NFL has operated for 106 years and has faced criticism throughout much of that history over its treatment of Black players, coaches, and executives in management roles, according to the Florida Phoenix.
