How the NFL can Further Expand the Rooney Rule to Increase Diversity Among Leadership Positions (2024)

Jake Ridall

A potential recommendation the NFL could take into consideration to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion among leadership positions is to strengthen the Rooney Rule. The Rooney Rule is a very important factor aiding with this issue as it aims to promote diverse leadership through hiring best practices in the NFL. The goal of these practices is to increase the number of minorities hired in head coach, general manager, and executive positions. In 2022, the Rooney Rule was expanded to include women as a new minority candidate. (NFL) Although this was intended to make the NFL feel more equal, statistics show that the Rooney Rule has not been fully serving what it was meant to do. In the twenty years since the Rooney Rule was passed, just 11% of head coaching positions have been filled by Black candidates, many being fired before getting the chance to prove themselves. (Smith, Lasker 2023).

Because of this, it could be recommended that this rule can be strengthened as well as the practices that support it. One way this could be done is by eliminating any rule that requires a coach to need permission from an NFL team owner to apply for positions with other teams. This would be beneficial to promoting diversity because we believe that allowing coaches to be more free in their job search will provide more opportunities to rise in a certain position. This would eliminate the scenario where a minority assistant coach may have a chance to be a head coach for another team but gets denied by the owner.

Another way the Rooney Rule could be strengthened is if the NFL creates stricter punishment systems for organizations that do not abide by these certain practices. This could come in the form of fines, lost draft picks, or possibly go as far as owner removal, depending on the severity. Threatening teams with large fines or other forms of punishment can have a large impact when enforcing rules as important as this one. We have seen players get fined over very minuscule actions in the league today, but the NFL does not keep the same energy when a franchise does not attempt to make its organization more inclusive. This push for league equality could start with a system with multiple tiers. The first tier would be a warning, letting teams know that they did not comply with Rooney Rule requirements and if it occurs again they will face further punishment. If this team does not improve their hiring practices, they will be given a fine. This would be at around $100,000 -$500,000 after an investigation determines the organization’s attempts to be inclusive. If proof of discrimination is shown in a hiring process, this is where higher punishment tiers such as lost draft picks or owner removal can be set as a consequence. The NFL should have no tolerance for any type of discriminatory behavior and based on the severity, can threaten an owner’s job or take away a late round draft pick. These actions would emphasize the seriousness of this subject and the values each organization should adhere in the hiring process.

A deficiency that can result from this recommendation is if owners and organizations feel that they are not getting the best fit for their team and feel forced to switch their leadership positions. While a team should want to hire the best person for the job, this could be more aimed toward teams actively looking for new coaches. Strengthening the Rooney Rule will allow teams that need a certain role-filled a chance to still get a great new fit, while also giving everyone who is qualified a chance.