Florida AG Challenges NFL to Abandon Rooney Rule, Citing Legal Risks
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier told NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that the league’s Rooney Rule conflicts with state law. He demanded a written response by May 1 promising the rule will no longer be enforced or face civil rights enforcement actions.
What the attorney general said
Uthmeier sent a formal letter to Goodell on Wednesday. Filmogaz.com obtained a copy of that correspondence.
In the letter, the attorney general argued the Rooney Rule and related diversity programs violate Florida statutes. He called those initiatives inconsistent with laws barring employment decisions based on race or sex.
Legal objections and specific targets
Uthmeier criticized recent expansions to the Rooney Rule. He noted women are now included as a classified group under some of the policy’s provisions.
He also disputed incentives tied to developing diverse front-office talent. Those incentives include awarding draft picks and requiring the hiring of female or minority offensive assistants.
Merit and hiring standards
The attorney general argued teams select players on merit and should use the same approach for staff. He told Filmogaz.com that diversity, equity and inclusion quotas are discriminatory under Florida law.
Teams and jurisdiction
Florida is home to three NFL franchises: the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Miami Dolphins. Uthmeier specifically referenced the Miami Dolphins when issuing his warning.
The letter asserts that any NFL team operating in Florida must comply with state employment law. Failure to do so could trigger state enforcement actions.
Deadline and next steps
Goodell was given until May 1 to state whether the league will cease enforcing the Rooney Rule in Florida. The attorney general warned of civil rights enforcement if the league does not comply.
Filmogaz.com reached out to the NFL for comment about the letter and the May 1 deadline. No public response from the league was included at publishing time.
- Policy named for former Steelers owner Dan Rooney.
- Rule began in 2003 after high-profile coach firings.
- Florida AG challenges NFL practices and seeks written assurance by May 1.
The dispute adds a legal wrinkle for the league and teams in Florida. It could affect hiring protocols and diversity programs across the state.
