Goodell backs Rooney Rule, says diversity 'a benefit' to NFL - ESPN

PHOENIX — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made the league's stance on the Rooney Rule clear after being challenged by Florida's attorney general: It is here to stay.

At the conclusion of the annual league meeting on Tuesday, Goodell defended the NFL initiative, which aims to increase the diversity of hiring pools for key positions.

The Rooney Rule came under fire last week from Florida attorney general James Uthmeier, who sent a letter to Goodell threatening potential civil litigation if the rule was not eliminated.

«One thing that doesn't change is our values, and we believe that diversity has been a benefit to the National Football League,» Goodell said on Tuesday. «We are well aware of the laws and where the laws are changing or evolving. We think the Rooney Rule is consistent with those.»

Established in 2003, the Rooney Rule initially required teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching vacancies, but it has since expanded to include general manager and coordinator positions as well as the quarterback coach position. In 2020, the league owners approved a change that stated if a team has a minority candidate who is hired as a general manager or a head coach of another team, the previous club is granted a compensatory third-round draft pick for two seasons.

In a video statement released on March 25, Uthmeier contended that rule violated state law and is discriminatory.

«Florida law is clear — hiring decisions cannot be based on race,» Uthmeier said in his statement.

However, Goodell stressed Tuesday that the Rooney Rule is not a hiring mandate. He said the spirit of the initiative has proved to be successful, in football and even beyond.

«It's intended to try to help, and it's been used by