By Angelica Medina
SAN JOSE, California, Feb 2 (Reuters) – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Monday he would overhaul the league’s diversity programs after only one of the 10 head coaching positions went to a Black coach during the latest hiring cycle.
Speaking at his annual Super Bowl week press conference in San Jose, Goodell acknowledged the league’s inclusion efforts have stalled despite the 2003 “Rooney Rule” requiring teams to interview diverse candidates for coaching and senior football positions.
“This is something where I think we need to continue to make progress, and I believe that,” Goodell said. “We’re re-evaluating everything we’re doing, including our Accelerator Program, including every aspect of our policies and our programs, to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow rather than yesterday.”
The number of Black head coaches across the 32-team league has now dropped to four, down from a peak of nine in recent years.
Goodell said the league exceeded Rooney Rule requirements in all hirings this cycle and provided more interview time, but acknowledged results remain inconsistent.
When asked about perceptions that teams interview Black candidates merely to satisfy the rule, Goodell disputed the premise, saying the policy “has been seen as a positive by our clubs by giving them an opportunity to look at a diverse set of candidates.”
The commissioner pointed to other areas where the NFL embraces diversity, including selecting Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl half-time performer.
Asked about the artist’s anti-ICE statements at Sunday’s Grammy Awards and potential political messaging, Goodell emphasized unity.
“Bad Bunny is, and I think that was demonstrated last night, one of the great artists in the world,” Goodell said. “But the other reason is he understood the platform he was on.
“This platform is to be used to unite people, to be able to bring people together with their creativity, with their talents.”
INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION PICKS UP
The NFL’s commitment to diversity extends globally as well, as Goodell announced nine international games for next season, including the return to Mexico City in December after a multi-year absence while the stadium underwent World Cup renovations.
“We’re heading back to Mexico City in December, which I think is wonderful for our fans in Mexico,” Goodell said, calling it a “really big announcement.”
The league will also debut games in Paris and Australia while returning to Spain, Brazil, Munich and London.
The Mexico City return is particularly significant given the NFL’s large Latino fan base and efforts to maintain a strong presence in one of its most important international markets.
Goodell reiterated his goal of reaching 16 international games annually, ensuring every team plays one regular-season game abroad each season. He said the San Francisco 49ers, who pioneered international play in the 1980s, are expected to participate.
On security matters, Goodell said preparations for Sunday’s Super Bowl remain unchanged despite questions about potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
He explained that the game has always been categorised as a SEAR 1 level event, which is the highest possible security classification.
“I see no change in that in the preparations for the Super Bowl,” he said. “We’re working with all three of those levels -federal, state and local – and doing everything we can to make sure it’s a safe environment.”
The commissioner also said the league will review facts surrounding reports linking New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein before determining whether to open an investigation.
The Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will be played Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Sonali Paul)
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