Florida Prosecutor Challenges NFL: Calls for Abolition of the Rooney Rule

Florida Attorney General Challenges NFL’s Rooney Rule

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has expressed concern about the NFL’s Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for certain positions. Uthmeier sent a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday, arguing that the rule is “blatant racial and sexual discrimination” and that hiring decisions should be based solely on merit.

“NFL fans in Florida don’t care about the color of their coach’s skin,” Uthmeier wrote. “They care what colors their coach is wearing, and that those colors are winning on the football field.”

James Uthmeier

The NFL has acknowledged receiving the letter and is reviewing its content.

“We believe our policies are consistent with the law and reflect our commitment to fairness, opportunity, and building the strongest possible teams,” said NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Miller.

Jeff Miller

Uthmeier also posted a video on X on Wednesday, stating that the rule “violates Florida law by requiring race-based considerations in hiring.” In the letter, Uthmeier requested Goodell to confirm by May 1, 2026, that the NFL will no longer apply the Rooney Rule or any variation or extension that requires consideration of race, sex, or any other prohibited classification. Failure to confirm could result in civil rights enforcement action. 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, of Lebanese descent, was the only minority candidate to land a major coaching job, and no Black head coaches were hired for the 10 vacancies. Before the Super Bowl, Goodell said the NFL would take a closer look at the Rooney Rule to “keep moving forward” on diversity. Art Rooney II, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and chairman of the NFL’s diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, said the league will have an obligation to consider Uthmeier’s demands.

“There is no doubt that the environment has changed in recent years,” Rooney said. “We have an obligation to ensure that our policies comply with the laws, whatever they may be, and whatever the changes in the law. We have to analyze that and make sure we comply. … That is the environment in which we exist today.”

Art Rooney II