America First Legal, a conservative legal group, filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging that the NFL’s “Rooney Rule,” requiring teams to interview minority candidates for coaching and executive positions, constitutes unlawful race bias.
The complaint challenges the NFL’s diversity initiatives and cites a Supreme Court ruling against race-conscious policies.
The NFL wrote in a statement, “We look forward to responding to this complaint and demonstrating that our policies and programs are fully consistent with the law and with fundamental notions of fairness.”
Ian Prior, a lawyer with America First Legal, wrote in the complaint, “However pure its intention, the fact is that the Rooney Rule cannot stand up to legal scrutiny.”
The NFL defended its policies, emphasizing the benefits of diversity, while Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed the ongoing need for the Rooney Rule despite increasing minority hires.
Goodell said, “We want to show the benefits of looking at diverse slates of candidates.”
“To be able to do that has benefited every one of our clubs,” he continued.
The legal challenge reflects broader conservative scrutiny of diversity programs in various sectors.
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