In his final days as NFL Players Association executive director, DeMaurice Smith is challenging NFL owners on the effectiveness of the Rooney Rule. A comprehensive 100-page report by Smith and Yale law student Carl Lasker argues that the rule has failed to achieve its intended purpose of increasing minority representation in key leadership positions. The report, obtained by Yahoo Sports, calls for the elimination of the Rooney Rule and proposes a series of new measures to address the lack of diversity within the league.
Smith and Lasker argue that the number of Black head coaches has remained virtually stagnant since the rule's inception two decades ago, with only three Black head coaches entering the 2023 season. They believe the Supreme Court's recent ruling against affirmative action in college admissions could further impact diversity within the NFL. The report emphasizes the need for "fair, equitable, and lawful hiring practices" and calls for government oversight to ensure these practices are enforced.
The report outlines 12 recommendations for a new approach to diversity hiring. These include mandated public posting of all open positions with detailed job descriptions, a transparent and consistent hiring and retention system for all teams, and removing the requirement for coaches to seek permission from their current teams before applying for other jobs. The recommendations also address concerns raised in a survey conducted by the NFLPA last year, in which a majority of current and former NFL coaches of color called for greater transparency in the hiring process and expressed concerns about the role of race in hiring decisions.
Smith and Lasker assert that the upcoming change in senior leadership within the NFL presents a crucial opportunity to address these long-standing diversity issues. They believe a complete overhaul of the current system is necessary to eliminate discrimination, ensure fairness, and create a truly equitable and transparent hiring process.
