Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II at the 2026 NFL Owners Meetings in Phoenix, Arizona on March 31, 2026. — Alan Saunders / Steelers Now
PHOENIX — Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II believes the NFL’s Rooney Rule, named for his father and predecessor, isn’t going anywhere, despite current legal challenges to the diversity-first hiring process.
Florida attorney general James Uthmeier has taken a stance against the NFL’s Rooney Rule, sending a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ahead of the 2026 NFL Owners Meetings.
“Next week, the NFL’s annual league meeting begins in Phoenix, Ariz., and the NFL Draft is only a month away,” Uthmeier said in a video posted to social media. “Ahead of the annual meeting, my office is sending a letter to the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, regarding the league’s hiring practices, specifically the use of the so-called ‘Rooney Rule,’ which requires NFL teams to interview candidates based on race.
“The NFL’s use of the Rooney Rule violates Florida law by requiring race-based considerations in hiring. Florida law is clear — hiring decisions cannot be based on race. … That’s discrimination. We’re demanding the NFL suspend the Rooney Rule, and failure to do so may result in enforcement actions against the league for race-based discrimination.”
Rooney said that the attention of the Florida attorney general meant that discussions were had among the owners in Phoenix this week, but that they determined that the rule, which is not regarding hiring decisions, only interviews, is not against the law, and still enjoys the significant support of NFL ownership.
“There were some questions about it,” Rooney said. “There was no action taken, just a statement from the Florida attorney general, so we’ll have some conversations with the attorney general down there just to make sure he understands what exactly we do. It’s not a hiring rule, so I think we’re comfortable with where we are.
“I think everybody’s still in favor of the Rooney Rule. There was no discussion about getting rid of it.”
Behind the leadership of former Steelers owner Dan Rooney, Art’s father, the NFL adopted the Rooney Rule in 2003. It originally required every team with a head coaching opening to interview at least one diverse candidate before making a new hire. Teams are now required to interview at least two minority candidates for vacant head coach, GM and coordinator positions. One minority candidate is required for the quarterback coach position.
In addition to its legality, as the administration of President Donald Trump takes aim at diversity initiatives nationwide, the effectiveness of the Rooney Rule has been called into question, as no Black and only one minority head coach candidate was hired in the NFL this offseason.
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