Florida AG warns NFL: Drop affirmative action ‘Rooney Rule’ or face legal consequences Florida’s attorney general, James Uthmeier, has issued a formal warning to the NFL, demanding the league abandon its race- and sex-based hiring policy known as the “Rooney Rule” or face potential legal action. In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, Uthmeier accused the NFL of violating Florida law by enforcing the rule, which requires teams to interview minority and ethnically diverse candidates for coaching and executive positions. The AG’s letter, addressed to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, demands confirmation by May 1 that the league will cease enforcing the policy or risk civil rights enforcement measures. The Rooney Rule, named after late Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, was introduced in 2003 after Black coaches Tony Dungy and Dennis Green were fired despite strong records. The policy aims to promote diversity in hiring by mandating that teams consider candidates from underrepresented groups. However, Uthmeier argued that the rule’s application in Florida constitutes illegal discrimination. He emphasized that Florida law prohibits employers from making hiring decisions based on protected characteristics such as race or sex, and that the Rooney Rule’s requirements—such as limiting opportunities for certain groups—violate this principle. Uthmeier’s letter highlighted specific provisions of the Rooney Rule that he deemed problematic, including the expansion of the policy to include women as a qualifying minority and incentives for teams to hire minority coaches. He criticized the NFL for allegedly using “diversity” initiatives to create quotas, arguing that such practices are discriminatory and illegal. “DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion] is discriminatory and illegal,” Uthmeier stated.#nfl #james_uthmeier #roger_goodell #rooney_rule #florida_ag
Florida attorney general challenges NFL to abolish Rooney Rule Florida’s attorney general, James Uthmeier, has publicly criticized the NFL’s Rooney Rule, accusing the league of engaging in “blatant race and sex discrimination” and demanding its immediate suspension or facing potential legal action. In a letter sent to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday, Uthmeier argued that hiring decisions should be based solely on merit, not on demographic criteria. He claimed that NFL fans in Florida prioritize a coach’s performance over their race or gender, emphasizing that “they care what colors their coach is wearing—and that those colors are winning on the football field.” Uthmeier also stated that the Rooney Rule and its related policies are “illegal in Florida,” though the NFL has not yet responded with specific legal arguments. The league acknowledged receiving the letter and confirmed it is under review. NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller defended the league’s policies, asserting they align with the law and reflect a commitment to fairness and building competitive teams. The Rooney Rule, implemented in 2003, requires NFL teams to interview at least two external minority candidates for head coach, general manager, and coordinator positions. However, recent hiring trends have sparked debate. This offseason, only Robert Saleh, a coach of Lebanese descent, secured a top coaching role, while no Black head coaches were hired for the 10 available positions. These outcomes have led critics to question the rule’s effectiveness in promoting diversity. Ahead of the Super Bowl, Goodell announced the NFL would reassess the Rooney Rule and its broader implications to “continue making progress” on diversity initiatives.#nfl #florida_attorney_general #james_uthmeier #roger_goodell #rooney_rule
