NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday stressed a conciliatory tone toward Florida amid a battle with the state over the league’s diversity rule. The NFL has for months been under Attorney General James Uthmeier’s scrutiny due to concerns the decades-old “Rooney Rule” and other league programs violate state and federal civil rights laws barring racial and sex discrimination. Goodell continued to stand by the rule this week but pledged to cooperate with officials as they investigate the matter. His stance comes after Uthmeier subpoenaed the NFL last week over the case, ordering the league to appear at the attorney general’s office June 12.“I think we have been very clear about our programs, and we obviously evaluate them all the time, not just for how they get better but also to make sure that they’re consistent with the law,” Goodell said.
“We’re engaging with the Florida attorney general and will continue to,” the NFL commissioner continued. “We’ll share everything we’re doing with them. We think it’s certainly within the law, but also something very positive.”
The Rooney Rule, established in 2003, is a hiring policy aimed at increasing representation in key roles in NFL organizations. Among other mandates, it requires teams to interview at least two external minority or female candidates for open head coach and general manager positions.
