NFL to seek at least one-year ban of Deshaun Watson at Tuesday hearing
Washington PostJUN 2022
The NFL is doing all it can to prevent discrimination and harassment while ensuring that its workforce is as diverse as possible. It expanded the so-called Rooney Rule — the requirement that teams interview at least one minority candidate for head coach openings — to require the interviewing of at least one woman for open executive slots. There are women referees and coaches, and 41.3% of the league’s front office staff is female. Progress is being made and there is no need for government intervention.
A little bit of progress in the NFL’s attempt to diversify doesn’t mean the league has eliminated all forms of discrimination and harassment, and there should be a zero-tolerance policy. The league is still facing accusations of “pervasive sexism” at a workplace that operates with a “boys’ club mentality,” in addition to a multitude of lawsuits. If there’s smoke, there must be fire, so these attorneys general have to dig into what’s really going on.
Considering the raft of lawsuits and investigations the NFL has faced in recent years, it’s no surprise there’s another one coming down the pipe. Of course, just as the previous probes did nothing to lessen the league’s popularity, this investigation probably won’t affect anyone’s opinion of the NFL. The league machine will continue to operate with impunity as long as the American people pump billions of dollars into it.