KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The NFL is standing firm behind a longstanding diversity policy—the Rooney Rule—while Florida’s top legal officer, Attorney General James Uthmeier, warns: change it, or face a legal battle. We spoke with the attorney general today, asking what happens now.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league intends to keep the policy in place. Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner: “The Rooney Rule has been around a long time. We’ve evolved it, we’ve changed it, and we will continue to do that as circumstances warrant.”
The NFL drawing a line—the Rooney Rule is here to stay. Commissioner Roger Goodell is pushing back, just days after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier demanded the league scrap the policy in the state.
Uthmeier says if the NFL doesn’t comply, Florida is prepared to take legal action. “If they want to continue to break Florida law, we will have to pursue litigation and enforce our civil rights.”
The Rooney Rule, created in 2003, requires NFL teams to interview minority candidates for top jobs like head coach and general manager.
[WATCH: Florida attorney general accuses NFL of civil rights violations]
Goodell says the league believes the rule aligns with changing legal standards. “We are well aware of the laws, and where the laws are changing and evolving, we think the Rooney Rule is consistent with those.”
Last week, Uthmeier released a video calling on the NFL to drop the Rooney Rule, saying it violates state law.
News 6 spoke with Uthmeier at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office during a press conference Wednesday about the NFL’s response.
Uthmeier says he wants the league to back away from the policy and claims the state has set a deadline.
“I hope they scrap this rule. I hope they revisit it. We’ve given them until May 1st to provide their official response to our office—the easy way or the hard way. If we have to do it the hard way, we will.”
When asked what happens if the state has to do it “the hard way,” Uthmeier says Florida would sue. “The state would seek legal recourse in state court.”
And this isn’t his first fight with a major company. Just last December, Uthmeier filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, claiming illegal race-based hiring practices. And the month before that, he sent a letter to Microsoft, alleging discrimination against faith-based groups. We reached out again this week for updates but have yet to hear back.