NFL requiring teams to hire minority or woman as offensive assistant in Rooney Rule expansion
Amid the backdrop of Brian Flores' racial discrimination lawsuit, the NFL is updating its diversity policy that will require teams to hire a minority or female candidate as an offensive assistant, the league announced Monday.
The NFL announced the policy change from its annual owners meetings in Palm Beach, Florida.
"Beginning this season, all 32 clubs will employ a diverse person [female or a member of an ethnic or racial minority] to serve as an offense assistant," the new policy reads.
The league will reimburse teams for the assistant's salary for up to two years. Why the mandate that the coach work on offense?
"In recent years, head coaches have predominantly had offensive backgrounds," the mandate reads.
Rooney Rule criticized as ineffective
The league's Rooney Rule addressing the dearth of minority representation in NFL front office and head coaching positions has been under fire as ineffective. Flores accused multiple teams of conducting "sham" interviews with him in order to meet the requirement that teams consider minority candidates. He alleges that the New York Giants and Denver Broncos had no intention of hiring him when they agreed to interview him for head coach openings in recent years.
The league has also been criticized for not providing enough lower-level opportunities for minority candidates that could ultimately lead to a head coaching position. Monday's resolution appears to be a direct response to address that criticism.
The NFL currently employs five minority head coaches among its 32 teams — Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders, Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Lovie Smith of the Houston Texans, Robert Saleh of the New York Jets and Mike McDaniels of the Miami Dolphins.
NFL announces other diversity initiatives
In addition to the Rooney Rule update, the NFL announced the creation of a diversity advisory committee of outside experts to advise the league's hiring practices and other diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The league also released a statement addressing its "commitment to increasing diversity among ownership." The NFL has never had a Black majority franchise owner.
“The NFL member clubs support the important goal of increasing diversity among ownership,” the statement reads. “Accordingly, when evaluating a prospective ownership group of a member club pursuant to League policies, the membership will regard it as a positive and meaningful factor if the group includes diverse individuals who would have a significant equity stake in and involvement with the club, including serving as the controlling owner of the club.”
The Denver Broncos are for sale this offseason. Black TV mogul Byron Allen announced a bid to purchase the Broncos in February.
