603. Did the N.F.L. Solve Diversity Hiring? (Part 1)

The biggest sports league in history had a problem: While most of its players were Black, almost none of its head coaches were. So the N.F.L. launched a hiring policy called the Rooney Rule. In the first episode of a two-part series , we look at how the rule succeeded — until it failed. SOURCES: N. Jeremi Duru , professor of law at American University. Herm Edwards , former N.F.L. player and head coach. Jim Rooney , author and co-partner of Rooney Consulting. RESOURCES: A Different Way to Win: Dan Rooney's Story from the Super Bowl to the Rooney Rule , by Jim Rooney (2019). " For ASU's Herm Edwards, Sports Bubble Helped to Overcome Racism Growing Up ," by Jeff Metcalfe ( The Arizona Republic, 2018). Advancing the Ball: Race, Reformation, and the Quest for Equal Coaching Opportunity in the NFL , by N. Jeremi Duru (2010). " Differences in the Success of NFL Coaches by Race, 1990-2002: Evidence of Last Hire, First Fire ," by Janice Madden ( Journal of Sports Economics, 2004). EXTRAS: " When Is a Superstar Just Another Employee? " by Freakonomics Radio (2023). " How Much Does Discrimination Hurt the Economy? (Replay) ," by Freakonomics Radio (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz com…