New Orleans, LA——Amid shifts in federal diversity policies, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reaffirmed the league’s dedication to equitable hiring practices during his annual state of the league address on Monday. Despite President Donald Trump’s recent executive order rolling back DEI initiatives, Goodell emphasized that the NFL remains steadfast in fostering diversity.
The league has long prioritized inclusive hiring, most notably through the Rooney Rule, introduced in 2003. This policy requires teams to interview minority or female candidates for key positions, including head coach, general manager, coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and senior-level roles.
“We embraced diversity efforts because they were the right thing for the National Football League,” Goodell stated. “And we will continue these efforts—not because of trends, but because we have proven to ourselves that they make our league stronger.”
Commitment to Expanding Opportunities:
Since its inception, the Rooney Rule has evolved, with adjustments made based on feedback from teams and candidates. Goodell clarified that while the rule ensures a broad and diverse candidate pool, it does not mandate hires based on race or gender.
“There are no quotas in our system,” he said. “This is about widening the pipeline to attract the best possible talent, ensuring our league reflects the communities we serve.”
One major revision in 2021 required clubs to interview at least two external minority candidates in person for head coaching and general manager roles. However, recent hiring cycles have raised concerns over teams appearing to settle on a preferred candidate—often white—before officially completing the interview process.
Franchises like the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, and Jacksonville Jaguars came under scrutiny for this practice.
This led fans to track compliance with the Rooney Rule, viewing it as an indicator of when a team could officially announce a hire. Addressing this, Goodell assured that the league actively follows up with candidates to assess the authenticity of interview processes.
“We ensure that every interview is conducted with sincerity and thoroughness,” Goodell said. However, he acknowledged past concerns from candidates who felt the process lacked legitimacy.
“We’ve had candidates express doubts about whether interviews were genuine or thorough enough,” he admitted. “When that happens, we go back to the clubs, address concerns, and refine our policies accordingly.”
Navigating DEI Rollbacks in Corporate Partnerships:
Beyond internal hiring practices, Goodell was asked about how the league would handle corporate sponsors and partners rolling back their DEI initiatives in light of the new federal stance. He made it clear that while the NFL does not dictate policies for its partners, it remains engaged in conversations about the importance of diversity.
“We don’t set policies for corporations, sponsors, or media partners,” Goodell said. “But we do have ongoing discussions about why diversity matters to us and how it benefits our league.”
As the national landscape around diversity and inclusion shifts, Goodell’s message was clear: the NFL’s commitment to fostering equitable hiring practices remains unchanged.
If the league is serious about diversity and inclusion, that commitment should extend beyond the playing field and coaching staff to media coverage as well. Black-owned publications like 4.0 Sports Media & Entertainment and others should have the same opportunities as mainstream media to cover games, especially major events like the Super Bowl.
Historically, access to credentialing has been a challenge for minority-owned outlets in many major sports leagues. The NFL has made public commitments to diversity, but ensuring equitable access for Black media organizations would be a meaningful step toward backing up those words with action.
The NFL must turn its words into action. Equality and diversity should always be a priority—it’s never too late to make meaningful change.
