America First Legal (AFL) has filed a federal civil rights complaint against the NFL over its race-based “Rooney Rule,” alleging a violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
AFL argues that the rule, requiring teams to interview minorities for specific leadership roles, results in “sham interviews” and limits opportunities for equally qualified non-minority candidates.
“Given the limited timeframe to hire executives and coaches after the season, this results in fewer opportunities for similarly situated, well-qualified candidates who are not minorities,” AFL stated.
AFL criticized the rule as insulting and condescending, calling for its elimination in favor of a meritocratic system.
“When millions of Americans tune in to the Super Bowl, they will be watching meritocracy in action: the best players, on the best teams, with the best coaches. Yet, every year during this time, NFL teams must follow the ‘Rooney Rule’ and interview prospective coaches and executives, not because of their skill and hard work, but rather because of the color of their skin,” AFL said.
“This process is not only insulting and condescending to prospective coaches who are merely interviewed to check a box,” AFL added, “but it is also the exact kind of racial balancing that the Supreme Court of the United States has unequivocally denounced as illegal and anathema to equal protection under the law.”
“If the National Football League truly wants to end discrimination in the employment process, then the NFL should stop discriminating in the employment process, follow the meritocratic system it displays on the field, and eliminate the Rooney Rule,” AFL said.
The NFL has not publicly responded to the complaint.
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