The Global Sport Institute recently released its newest findings on the diversity in NFL head coaching positions since the inception of the Rooney Rule 18 years ago in Field Studies: NFL Head Coach Hiring and Pathways in the Rooney Rule Era. After years of yo-yoed progress, the disparity of White coaches and coaches of Color remains large. What is the next option to paving a path for greater equity in head coach hiring? 

 The Rooney Rule began with the threat of litigation by Johnnie Cochran and Cyrus Mehri, elevating the conversation to target the NFL's League office. In the time since, the activity on the part of the league has been extensive, yet it is clear that the league itself doesn't hire the head coaches. The onus sits squarely on the shoulders of franchises and owners, the decision makers, the ones with the most power to ultimately spark actual progress. Should litigation be laser-focused to the club level, and shift away from the currently broad, and continually loopholed league-wide implementation of the Rooney Rule?

Joining the Discussion:

N. Jeremi Duru | Professor of Law at American University Washington College of Law                                  Carl E. Douglas| President at Douglas Hicks Law Firm                                                                                Melissa S. Woods| Partner at Cohen, Weiss and Simon, LLP                                                                      Kenneth Shropshire | CEO of the Global Sport Institute and adidas Distinguished Professor of Global Sport at Arizona State University

Led by:

William C. Rhoden | Award-winning Author & Journalist at ESPN's The Undefeated