NFL ‘Rooney rule’ on minority coaching candidates is racist, conservative group alleges

A group led by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller is arguing the National Football League’s (NFL) “Rooney Rule,” which requires teams to interview at least one minority during the hiring process, is racist.

America First Legal, a conservative legal group headed Miller, filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on Tuesday that argues the rule, adopted in 2003, allowing teams to discriminate.

The group has filed similar complaints targeting workplace diversity initiatives in different sports leagues and companies. In November, it filed civil complaints against airlines for racial and sex discrimination. Its revenue jumped in 2022 to $44 million, a significant jump from $6 million in 2021.

The EEOC, the commission that enforces laws around workplace discrimination, is not obligated to take up the complaints. 

“We are proud of the work that we have done to promote equal employment opportunities for women and people of color and the resulting growth in diversity throughout the NFL,” an NFL spokesman said in a statement to The Hill on Wednesday.

“As Commissioner Goodell said just this week, diversity makes us better. We look forward to responding to this complaint and demonstrating that our policies and programs are fully consistent with the law and with fundamental notions of fairness.”

The NFL is led by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

The NFL has seen a rise in minority coaches getting hired after the league was scrutinized for years for not providing opportunities. Former Miami Dolphins Head Coach  Brian Flores sued the NFL and three teams two years ago over alleged racist hiring practices, saying the NFL is still “rife with racism.” 

In the complaint, the conservative group calls the EEOC to investigate the NFL and all of its 32 teams. 

“If the National Football League truly wants to end discrimination in the employment process, then the NFL should stop discriminating in the employment process, follow the meritocratic system it displays on the field, and eliminate the Rooney Rule,“ said Ian Prior, an attorney with America First Legal. 

In 2022, civil rights leaders called for the replacement of the rule in light of Flores’ firing. 

“However well-intentioned, the effect of the Rooney Rule has been for team decision-makers to regard interviews with candidates of color as an extraneous step, rather than an integral part of the hiring process,” Morial said. “The gravity of the situation is long past the crisis point,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial said at the time.