Goodell Reaffirms Rooney Rule at NFL Meeting

During the NFL annual meeting, Commissioner Roger Goodell responded to calls from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier to drop the Rooney Rule, stating, "No. The Rooney Rule has been around a long time. We’ve evolved it, changed it. We’ll continue to do that as circumstances warrant." He underscored that the rule is not a hiring mandate but a tool to broaden candidate pools and that the league will keep it as a core part of its diversity strategy.

Goodell also noted the league’s willingness to engage with state officials, including the Florida AG, to discuss policies and ensure the Rooney Rule remains consistent with evolving laws and the NFL’s commitment to diversity. The commissioner affirmed that the rule’s purpose is to help identify diverse candidates for key positions, a practice used beyond football and the United States.